Archives: 2023

A Guide to Gifting Loved Ones with Life Insurance

Can you give life insurance as a gift? Yes! It is a meaningful and touching way to show how much you care. Here are a few quick things to know about purchasing life insurance as a gift this holiday season.

Why Life Insurance Can Be the Perfect Gift

Gifts are a joy to give and receive, but giving a life insurance policy can be surprisingly meaningful. These policies provide something unique: long-term security. Unlike the usual sweaters, slippers, or even pricey devices, life insurance offers financial protection, and some policies increase in value and can become a valuable asset. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving. 

Types of Insurance for Gifting

• Term Life Insurance: The most affordable option, term life insurance covers a set period with a guaranteed payout to the policy beneficiaries if the insured individual should suddenly pass away—and provides tax-free income when it is needed most. 
• Whole Life Insurance: This insurance offers lifelong coverage that becomes an asset over time. Over time, these policies allow you to borrow for future financial needs such as college tuition. 
• Universal Life Insurance: These policies offer more flexible premiums, adjustable death benefits, and earn interest and cash value. 

Three Ways to Gift an Insurance Policy

• Buy a new policy: If you want to purchase a policy for a loved one, they are protected in life’s most difficult situations. 
• Transfer an existing policy: If you already have a policy, you can work with one of our agents to update your beneficiaries to suit family changes or convert a term life policy to whole life. 
• Fund an existing policy: If your family member has a policy and is having trouble paying the premiums, you can offer to pay the premiums to keep it in force.

Discuss your desire to make a meaningful gift to a loved one with one of our experienced and knowledgeable agents, and they will walk you through the steps. 

Giving to Those You Love

Because of the nature of life insurance, you can purchase a policy to give to your loved ones. Key business partners or employees can also be insured to protect your company’s financial health. When it comes to the holidays, giving to those you care about, such as your significant other, children, or other loved ones, can help them have a safer financial future. 

The Gifting Process: An Overview

Here’s a simple guide to gifting a life insurance policy to someone you love:

1. Research: Start by comparing different policy options. Take time to understand the long-term benefits and what would be best for your loved one’s situation. 
2. Choose: Decide on the best coverage and amount you want to give. 
3. Consult: Work with one of our professional agents to help make the best decision for your budget and answer your questions about the best policy options.
4. Gift: Give your loved one a lasting gift of peace of mind. You can even make it special by placing the policy documents in a box and topping it with a bow! 
5. Explain: After the excitement of opening presents is over, spend some time with your loved one to explain the policy and ensure they understand how it works and how you plan to fund it for them.

Giving the Gift of Peace of Mind

Life insurance is unique in that these policies show you care for years and years to come. If you want to donate to a loved one’s future well-being and happiness, speak to one of our helpful local agents today. We can walk you through the simple process so you are confident you have chosen the ideal policy to protect the people you love the most. 

Senior Health Tips for the Holiday Season

Everyone loves the holidays. The fabulous food, families coming together, the cooking, shopping, and decorating make the holidays an exciting—and somewhat stressful–time. As seniors, it is crucial to put your health first while enjoying the best of holiday joy. Here are a few things seniors can do to stay healthy and happy during the holidays. 

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated seems simple, but it bears repeating. Medical doctors recommend drinking eight glasses of water a day. With all the extra running around for shopping, drinking liquids can be easy to forget. An easy way to track your water intake is to drink two glasses at breakfast, lunch, and dinner and two more in the afternoon with a light snack. If you are not a water drinker, other healthy drinks, such as herbal tea or juice, can be substituted—but watch the sugar content!

Eat in Moderation

Holiday gatherings are a perfect excuse to break your diet. Consider enjoying indulgent foods in moderation and only after you have filled your plate with healthy fruit, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains. Eating nutritious foods first with a smaller portion of something sweet afterward can help you avoid over-consuming desserts loaded with sugar and fat. 

Stay Active

When your schedule has been turned upside down with holiday shopping and family events, it’s essential to squeeze in some time to stretch. Taking a brisk walk or doing some light exercise at home goes a long way to maintaining your strength and boosting your mood. 

Prioritize Your Mental Well-being

Don’t stress out trying to meet the standards of what you used to do—be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to ask for help instead of trying to cook a turkey dinner for ten on your own! If the grandkids want to go sledding, but you’d like to rest, take the opportunity. Give yourself the time and space for a quiet rest, and don’t feel you have to do everything you used to. Children and relatives are often more than happy to lend a hand if you need help shopping or wrapping presents; don’t be afraid to ask. 

Schedule a Medicare Check-Up

Medicare’s open enrollment period ends on December 7th, and the holiday season is a great reminder to review and update your plan. New programs come out yearly—you might be eligible for a more affordable plan at a lower cost. Medicare can be challenging to understand—get help from one of our local agents and save yourself from frustration! 

Get Good Rest

The excitement of the holidays can disrupt your regular sleep schedule. Keep an eye on the clock and gracefully retire when it gets too late. If you are accustomed to an afternoon nap, your family will understand. A good night’s sleep helps support your immune system and keeps your mood positive.

Take Advantage of Preventative Health Services

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you can access preventative services that could help you during the holidays and all year round. Services like annual wellness visits, screenings, and vaccinations are covered, helping you stay on top of potential health issues before they get out of control. 

Enjoy a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season

The holidays are a special time to reconnect with family and friends. While you celebrate, stay mindful of your health needs, take advantage of Medicare benefits, and focus on your well-being, you will enjoy the festivities far more. 

If you need Medicare guidance for the new year, contact one of our local agents to learn more about new programs or options that could benefit you. We can help you support your health and wellness goals all year long.

What to Know About Workers’ Compensation and Working from Home

Are you one of the many businesses that has taken on a remote or hybrid working model? Working from home has pros and cons, but it also raises serious questions like what would happen if an employee becomes injured while performing work at home. Workers’ compensation (often shortened to workers’ comp) laws and requirements vary by state, […]

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

Autumn is beautiful, but it also introduces some fall driving hazards… deer collisions being one of them. From October to December, mating and hunting season make deer go on the move. For drivers, that means you’re more likely to hit one. According to a 2022 study published in the journal Current Biology, about 2.1 million […]

Winter Weather Preparedness for Small Businesses

Winter weather can take a heavy toll on small businesses. The risks posed by storms, slippery walkways, and power outages can lead to financial losses. Taking steps to prepare your company and employees for the winter season can minimize business disruptions and claims filed for slip-and-fall accidents. 

The best overall advice is to be proactive. Evaluate any risks on the property to determine where problems could arise and resolve any issues. While you know your business, here are some common areas for a winter weather preparedness plan.

Employee Safety and Communications

Create a Winter Communications Plan

Get your team on a group text or chat so that when storms hit, you have a coordinated method of informing all personnel regarding whether your business will be operating that day, so employees are updated on changes in business operations and delivery times during storms or other inclement weather. 

Train Your Staff for Cold Weather Safety

If your work is outdoors, train staff to identify the symptoms of illness, frostbite, and hypothermia and what to do when these symptoms are observed. Training should include preventing these emergencies by dressing appropriately for the weather and taking regular warming breaks. 

Stock a Storm Emergency Kit

Prepare for the possibility that staff and customers could have to shelter on-site in the case of a severe weather event. A standard emergency kit should include the following items:

• First-aid supplies
• Blankets
• Non-perishable snacks
• Bottled water
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Phone chargers or power banks
• Battery-powered radio

Public Information and Wellness

Keep Customers Informed

The storm season comes with unpredictable hours of operation. Ensure you have a communications plan to let your loyal customer base know what to expect in extreme weather. You can use social media or email blasts to keep employees, customers, and clients informed. Publicizing any storm-related closure times increases trust with customers and employees.

Prevent Snow and Ice Hazards

Keep your business safe and accessible by regularly removing snow and ice from walkways and entrances to your property. Salt can be put on sidewalks before a storm; snow melts faster and is easier to remove. After a storm, sand can help increase safety in icy areas. For rainy days, place anti-slip mats at entrances for added protection.

Property Protections

Prepare for Outages and Delays

When the wind and snow kick up, power outages and shipping delays are to be expected. If you are prepared, you can make the best of the situation. Invest in a generator if your business relies on power for the refrigeration of food items or medicine. Backup generators must be correctly installed at a safe distance from vents to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Increase Your Efficiency

Seal all windows and doors against cold drafts to lower the cost of heating and energy. Replace your air filters and service your HVAC units. A programmable thermostat can save energy when your location is closed. 

Conduct Post-Storm Assessments

Always check your property for damage after a major storm. Business insurance can cover property damage or losses that affect your ability to serve your clients. Make a list of cracks, leaks, or damaged equipment or inventory. If you have a business insurance policy, keep all receipts so your provider can reimburse you. 

Protect Your Business with Insurance Coverage

We do our best to prepare for dangerous rain, snow, hail, or wind storms. Even with the best plans, disasters happen, and that’s when your business insurance policy can prove to be one of your smartest investments. It’s essential to customize your business insurance policy to match your enterprise. Call our agents today to discuss insurance options that help protect your business against the risks associated with dangerous winter weather.

What to Know About Renting to Own

Over the last several years, many Americans have become pessimistic on the prospect of home ownership. According to a recent Bankrate survey, 51 percent of aspiring homeowners view cost-of-living issues as a major obstacle to buying, while 54 percent say their household income hasn’t matched the rise in market prices for available homes. With those […]

Safety Tips for Online Shopping

It is that time of year again. Whatever holiday you celebrate, Americans nationwide go to their favorite online retailers to buy holiday decorations, party supplies, and gifts to make the season merry and bright. The convenience of the internet is hard to resist, but the freedom and flexibility of online buying come with some grave risks. 

Cybercrime is on the rise. In a recent year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 2.6 million fraud reports, with losses totaling over $10 billion. A significant portion of these incidents were directly related to online shopping scams and identity theft. By being alert and educated, you can keep your holidays truly happy this year. 

• Use the maxim, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” Scammers often use unbelievable deals to lure in naive shoppers or give a false impression that something is free when it’s just a ploy to grab your bank details. An offer to earn “$17,000 in Bitcoin for free!” when you sign up sounds great, but the platform won’t let you withdraw anything, even after you input your credit card number.

• Stick with brands you know; research those you don’t. Big-name brands have a reputation to uphold. They have a duty to the public to ensure online transactions are safe and secure and a more extensive process for protecting against identity theft. When attracted to an item a new e-retailer offers, verify its legitimacy by looking it up on independent review sites. Only purchase from an unknown retailer after some research. 

• Make payments with credit instead of debit cards. Credit cards work better than debit cards for fighting fraud. You can get actions reversed or canceled by speaking with the company. When a debit card is used, the money is gone as soon as it leaves your bank, and it can be more complicated, or in some cases impossible, to have your money returned to you. 

• Access only secure websites. Another good tip on website security is to look at the lock symbol in the search bar at the top of your web browser. The symbol means the page is secure; passwords and personal information entered will be private. Another safety indicator is if the URL starts with HTTPS, the “s” stands for secure. If there is no “s,” the site may be more easily hacked—and your information with it. 

• Consider getting personal cyber liability insurance. Most people do not know that you can purchase insurance that will protect you against certain types of online cybercrime. Personal cyber liability insurance can cover fraud losses, identity theft, and even data restoration after a cyber incident. 

• Avoid public Wi-Fi while shopping. Public Wi-Fi is precisely that: public! A hacker’s dream. Cyber thieves can record your keystrokes from afar if you enter your details using the public internet. Avoid using public Wi-Fi services if you need to shop online when you are out and about.

• Open email links with caution. Scammers are getting smarter every day, posing as your bank, the retailer you just visited, or the store where you recently purchased an item. Look out for messages that pressure you to urgently take action or ask you to “re-enter your credit card details” because your transaction failed. Rather than click the link, visit a reputable website or call the retailer to see if the email is legitimate or a scam. 

• Use secure passwords. A unique password with upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is one of your best defenses against cyber criminals trying to access your accounts. 

• Track your bank statements regularly. If you keep an eye on your spending as a matter of course, you’ll be able to catch odd charges or indicators of fraud right away before it is too late to have your money returned to you. If you see something suspicious or off, call your bank immediately to report the matter or get the charges reversed.
• Avoid storing financial information online. Yes, it is easy to save your credit card details with every retailer you love, so you can “click and go” when at checkout. Remember that any retailer can run into security issues—as has been proven repeatedly. If there’s a breach, your data is at risk. Take an extra 30 seconds to re-enter your card data so your personal information is not saved on dozens of sites across the web.

Stay Safe, Shop Smart

Remaining vigilant and aware can save you from the incredible hassle of resolving financial fraud or identity theft. With these tips, you can shop safely and enjoy the winter holiday. 

If you want to know more about personal cyber liability insurance benefits, our local agents are happy to answer any questions. We’re here to help you achieve peace of mind, knowing your financial health is protected online. 

8 Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving at Work & Why It Matters

Thanksgiving is when we take the time to feel thankful for what we have. Usually, this is with our close family and friends. This season, spread gratitude around because your coworkers and employees deserve recognition, too. Help create a positive, engaging, and rewarding company culture using some of these ideas to celebrate at work.

1. Wall of Thanks

Creating a wall of thanks is one way to help employees get into the spirit. Encourage employees and executives to contribute by writing down who they are thankful for and why and pinning it up. Make your wall a beautiful fall decoration by choosing a theme, such as a giant tree, pumpkin patch, or an elaborate turkey. Each note can be written on prepared sheets shaped like leaves, pumpkins, or feathers. Get as creative as you like. Start your wall of thanks at the beginning of November so that by the end of the month, everyone has had a chance to share their gratitude and contribute to the office art piece. 

2. Thanksgiving Pie Contest

If you feel like having more than one feast in November might strain your belt loops, opt for something less that’s just as delicious: a pie contest. This activity inspires employee participation and adds light-hearted fun to the workday. Choose a day for employees to bring in home-baked or store-bought pies. Get a few staff volunteers to be the judges and give out funny prizes (“most creative flavor,” “best decorated,” and so on). When the results are in, everyone can enjoy coffee and a slice together, the perfect time to give a little thank you speech to tell your staff how much you appreciate them. 

3. Team Volunteering to Give Back

Thanksgiving is all about counting your blessings, but why not give others something to be thankful for? Give your staff the option of taking an afternoon off work and going in groups to contribute to the charity of their choice. During November, shelters and food pantries often do their best to provide for needy people and can always use extra hands.

4. Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch

A Thanksgiving potluck lunch allows employees to bring dishes that reflect their unique family traditions and cultures. A potluck is fun, encourages a better understanding of the traditions of different cultures, and celebrates diversity and inclusion. 

5. Thanksgiving Pumpkin Spice Spread 

Thanksgiving, falling leaves, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin spice are nearly inseparable. Celebrate the fall season and Thanksgiving less traditionally by creating a thank-you spread of pumpkin-spiced goodies. Get together a few tables filled with pumpkin pies and fresh whipped cream. Offer pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread, and other holiday-themed goodies. Add a banner letting employees know this is a thank you for them for Thanksgiving. 

6. Thank-You-Grams 

Show your appreciation through thank-you-grams. Set up “mailing stations” for these special messages, with instructions, pens, thank-you notes, and a Thanksgiving-themed collection box. Staff can sign their cards or make them anonymous to increase the fun. Each day or once a week during November, have an assigned staff member distribute the cards to employees’ desks. If you are the boss, don’t forget to let all your staff know how thankful you are to have them with a heartfelt note or a sign at the mailing station.

7. Donation Drive Competition

Survey employees on the top five charities in your area to find out which one they would like to donate to for Thanksgiving this year. Then, hold a donation drive competition. You can choose to raise cans of food, gently used clothing, new shoes—whatever is needed by the chosen charity. Divide the office into teams and inspire a little bit of healthy competition. Offer prizes for the first, second, and third teams, but remind everyone that they are all winners for giving others something to be thankful for.

8. Give Thanks with a Free Knowledge Sharing Workshop

Another way of giving back and showing gratitude to your community is by sharing your specialized knowledge. Collaborate with employees to offer a free knowledge-sharing workshop or offer your services to an underserved part of the community for a day in November. Not only is this an opportunity to raise awareness about your company and services, but also a great way to give back. Offer incentives or a special thank you dinner for all employees who participate.

Giving Thanks at Work: Why it Matters.

A recent study found that staff who know they will be recognized are 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged at work. Employee appreciation can also reduce staff turnover and help build loyalty and commitment. Thanksgiving is a special time, but making employees feel valued can be done year-round with comprehensive group benefits. Our agency is ready to answer any questions about the best ways to ensure your employees feel supported with a great group benefits plan that works for them and your company’s bottom line.

5 Risks to Consider When Hosting a Work Party

Work parties boost morale and employee engagement. Your staff appreciates the time to relax, chat with others and maybe win some fun prizes. However, even the best intentions pose some level of risk. Workplace gatherings could bring out your staff’s worst behaviors—especially if you plan to throw alcohol into the mix. From small pizza parties […]

7 Tips to Winterize Your Business and Protect Against Winter Hazards

Before each winter, business owners should spend time preparing to protect their property and operations from the challenges brought by cold weather, snow and ice. Winterizing your business is not just about staying warm—it’s about safeguarding your assets and minimizing potential risks. A well-prepared business can avoid costly repairs and downtime during the winter season. […]