Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush established November as Native American Heritage Month. The rich traditions, cultures, and histories of the Native people deserve to be understood, celebrated, and honored throughout the country. During this month, we should all focus on creating a more positive experience for Native peoples by gaining a deeper understanding of their cultures and ways of life.
Rich and Diverse Cultures: The Native Peoples
Thousands of years before Europeans landed on the shores of America and began to colonize the region, it is estimated that within the borders of the USA, over ten million Indigenous people lived. European settlers pushed into territories that were their natural homes, destroying long-established ways of life, wreaking havoc and bringing war and conflict that continued for centuries, with impacts that are still felt today. Disease, displacement and the 1830 Indian Removal Act caused the government to relocate Indigenous peoples to allow settlers to simply take their lands.
Irreparable Harm to a Way of Life
The buffalo hunting grounds of the Indigenous tribes were destroyed as sports hunters decimated the herds on which the people depended. Some U.S. government officials were focused on destroying the bison herds as an act of war against those who were resisting a takeover of their lands. This, and many other aggressive and destructive actions left few options for the surviving members other than to move onto government-established reservations.
Spanish colonists in the Southwest enslaved Indigenous people, working them beyond any human capacity on huge ranches and to build and serve the string of Catholic Missions in the Southwest region of the USA.
By the beginning of the 20th century, it is estimated that about 250,000 Native Americans were living in the USA, most of whom lived on reservations. Several federal administrations passed laws that made life even more challenging for the Indigenous peoples, with millions of acres of reservation lands lost.
The Tragedy of Lost Cultures
The efforts to eradicate the essence of Indigenous cultures continued, with children being torn from their families, forced to live in boarding schools for Native Americans, which were established to “civilize” cultures that were arguably far more civilized than their conquerors. It is estimated that by the 1920s, about 83 percent of Indigenous school-age children were attending these schools, where they were not allowed to speak their Native languages or practice their traditions.
Healing the Wounds
The deep wounds from these acts affect Indigenous communities to the present day. Broken promises, lands and cultures destroyed, and a country that failed to honor, recognize, and support the ancient and earth-friendly cultures of the Indigenous peoples can never be fully repaired. That is why Native American Heritage Month was established — to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and accomplishments of the Indigenous people.
Failing Forward
| Product Liability Suits and How You Can Prevent Them |
| Think you don’t need to worry about product liability? If your business manufactures, sells or even distributes products, you do, because the awards for liability suits can be high, making consumers more and more litigious. But you can head off the damage with product liability insurance.
Product claims can vary, but they generally involve one of three complaints: a design defect, which means your product design is unsafe; a manufacturing flaw, meaning your production process resulted in a defect that made the product unsafe; or a defective warning or instruction, meaning your labels provided insufficient information regarding the risks related to your product. If you were involved in placing the product in the consumer’s possession, you can be held legally liable for its failure. That’s where product liability insurance comes in. Product liability insurance is a business policy that protects your company against claims for loss or injury due to defects in the products you manufacture or sell or the failure to provide proper warning about your products. It generally covers legal fees, medical costs and awarded damages. The product liability insurance coverage a business needs depends on many factors, such as your industry, the products you design, produce or distribute and your location. To ensure your coverage is appropriate, you should provide accurate and detailed information to your insurance provider. Don’t underreport! While getting product liability insurance may seem cumbersome, it’s important to plan ahead for possible problems. Give us a call today to see how we can support you on your journey! |
| An Introduction to the Art of Failing Forward |
| The crushing feeling of failure is something most of us will go through at some point in our lives.
It happens, and it’s an unavoidable part of life, but accepting that reality does not mean we have to be held back by our failures. The age-old concept of learning from our mistakes is critical to future success and can be best described as the art of “failing forward,” turning what could have been deemed as a negative situation into an opportunity to make change and enact positivity. Rather than attempting to move on by simply pretending your failure didn’t happen, it’s far better to embrace it in your quest to move forward. Ignoring it means you are not addressing the reasons behind the mistakes you made and leaves you open to repeating them in the future. While it may be painful to revisit them, being able to deconstruct them will ensure you’re better prepared when a similar situation rears its head in the future. Facilitating a mindset of growth in which failing is okay can help create belief and confidence to attack difficult situations in the future. Accepting and even encouraging failure as part of your process will help you expand your mind to be able to tackle greater problems with inventiveness as you move forward. An Olympic gymnast can only perfect their somersaults by trying and failing until they’ve learned how to successfully navigate each move! Lastly, allowing room for failure gives you the freedom to experiment and get creative. Ideas and concepts you try might not always yield success, but allowing that space to try new things without pressure will help you land on new solutions that you might not have considered previously. |
The Case for Having Humor at Work
| Why Protecting Your Reputation Is Important |
| Reputational harm is one of the greatest business threats today. How can business owners best protect their companies?
Your business reputation is simply what others think and feel about your business. Those thoughts and feelings could be based on experiences with your business or on what people have heard about your business. And these experiences could be true or not. Your reputation is important because potential customers don’t wait until they’ve verified accurate information about a business to decide whether to engage with it. They make decisions based on whatever information is available to them. Your reputation can be created both online and offline. Online, it is created through your business website, your social media posts and online customer reviews. Offline, it is created through the appearance of your office or store, your events and your phone calls. How can you maintain a good reputation? Carefully craft the appearance of your store. Maintain your offices. And think about how your behavior may be perceived. We hate to sound like a nagging mother, but if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. If you aren’t careful, more than your reputation could be at stake. Libel and slander claims are pervasive, and the average cost to defend and settle these types of claims is more than $750,000. For small businesses without proper coverage, these suits can prove devastating, so make sure you have the right insurance in place. Give us a call today to see how we can support you! |
| The Case for Having Humor in Business |
| The workplace can often feel like a dull environment.
When the going gets tough, many offices enter a heads-down mode in which any deviation from seriousness is taken as a distraction from the task at hand. However, according to research from the London Business School, Wharton and MIT, amongst others, laughter in the workplace can actually bring incredible benefits to productivity in a business environment. Regular laughter has been shown to relieve stress and apathy, causing a boost in creativity, attention to detail and collaboration amongst colleagues. So how, then, can more humor in the workplace be encouraged without annoying the busybodies who tut at the first sign of office giggles? According to the book The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny by professor Peter McGraw and journalist Joel Warner, there is a formula that may help what would otherwise be subjective humor become a more inclusive, universal joke that everyone can get in on. They name the theory “Benign Violation” and witnessed it in effect in a diverse range of environments, from comedy clubs across the USA to remote forest villages in the Amazon. Benign violation involves provoking laughter when it is “unsettling” or “wrong” to do so yet is also “safe” and “acceptable.” While this may have many variations, the general gist is that an assumption has been made but discovered to have been a mistake in which the general audience may find a pun, innuendo or prank to be laughed at. This is, of course, context and audience dependent, but finding some way to bring joy and laughter into the office environment has a wealth of positives for an effective workplace. |
Covering Your Halloween BOOs
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A Savvy Business Owner’s Checklist for Cyber Insurance Coverage
Any business that uses computer technology today has to deal with cyber risk. Ransomware attacks are on the rise, and small and medium businesses are being targeted more than ever. With the shift to more people working from home in 2020, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the opportunity to exploit remote workers.
Cyber insurance may be essential for a business of any size. The following checklist can help savvy business owners secure the right coverage for protection against cyber-attacks.
Decide Whether Your Business Needs Cyber Insurance
It is likely you need cyber insurance coverage if your business:
- Handles sensitive information: This can include a lot more than health information, Social Security numbers, bank accounts, etc. Even the most seemingly harmless information can be used by cyber attackers.
- Has staff who use their own devices: Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices can be lost or stolen. If this occurs, it can give criminals access to important company information, including confidential data.
- Hosts a public website: If your website interacts with clients or customers and stores their login data, you are vulnerable to cyber theft.
- Uses a third-party vendor: If your company has a third-party vendor supplying goods you sell, providing an online shopping facility, or managing your database, you may be vulnerable to cybercrime. You don’t control the level of security provided by a third party.
- Relies heavily on confidentiality (for example, a dating website).
- Gather information that, if lost, could result in embarrassment, invasion of privacy, or bullying.
Determine What to Look For in a Cyber Insurance Policy
Consider how much cyber insurance you need and how much your business can afford. Evaluate your risks and the types of coverage you need. Decide whether unintentional error should be covered, as well as intentional attack. Determine what your policy can exclude, what data should be covered, and where it is stored. Find out what insurance providers offer, such as legal costs, first responder services, or business interruption coverage.
Custom-Tailor Your Cyber Insurance Policy Outline
This outline should include:
- The level of risk your business is facing
- The type of policy (package or standalone) that works best for you
- Whether coverage includes third parties
- Types of coverage (network security, privacy liability, media liability)
- Amount of coverage your business needs
Ask Questions of Potential Providers
With your policy outline in hand, get insurers to answer important questions about the cyber insurance coverage they provide. For example, you should ask about:
- Policy exclusions
- Deductible amounts
- Response time after a data breach
- Timeframes for coverage
- Geographical coverage area (is coverage limited to within U.S. borders?)
- Types of covered incidents (do they include unintentional or non-malicious attacks?)
- How coverage and policy limits apply to first (policyholder) and third parties
- Premium increases after claims are made
- Auditing or compliance obligations
- How provider handles cyber threats
Finding the right cyber insurance coverage for your business can be a complicated process. Our knowledgeable agent is happy to help.
Millennials and Home Insurance
More millennials are buying homes these days, as opposed to renting. By the end of 2018, this generation represented 45% of all new home mortgages, as stated in a Housing Wire article. One thing is certain, whether renting or purchasing a condo or a house, millennials need home insurance to protect them against damage to or loss of their property and against liability.
Renters Insurance
Your living space should be insured, whether you rent or own. Renters insurance covers loss or damage to your personal items in your rented space, due to a covered peril. How much coverage you need will depend on how many personal possessions you have and how valuable they are. Your deductible is also a factor – the higher the deductible, the lower your premiums are likely to be.
It is a good idea to create a personal property inventory, which may include photos, as a record of what you own. High-value items, such as an engagement ring, camera equipment, or a drone, need to go on a separate list, as they may be excluded from your general policy. You may need to purchase a personal property rider for such items.
Condo Insurance
Standard condo insurance is known as HO-6 insurance. It provides protection against covered perils for your condo unit. In addition, it provides personal liability protection and living expenses coverage, in case a covered event, such as a fire, makes your condo uninhabitable. This type of home insurance is also known as “walls-in” coverage because it protects individual units. The condominium association’s master policy covers the common areas of the building.
Before purchasing a condo insurance policy, it is a good idea to find out what is covered by the homeowners association or condo association’s master policy. This typically includes all common areas, including the exterior and roof of the building, the hallways, and the elevators. However, some types of master condo insurance policies are more comprehensive than others.
Condo insurance typically covers:
- The condo unit itself, including the walls and fixtures
- Personal property contained in the condo, such as electronics, furniture, and any moveable goods
- Loss of use: Costs of lodging and transportation if your unit has been made uninhabitable
- Personal liability: This covers legal costs and provides protection in case of lawsuits or claims made against you
- Loss assessment: Coverage for your individual share of condo association losses
Homeowners Insurance
If you are purchasing a home, you probably already know that homeowners insurance is not just a good thing to have but also required by lenders. In fact, your mortgage payments will likely have an amount tacked on that goes into escrow for your homeowners insurance premiums.
Homeowners insurance provides protection for your dwelling, your personal belongings, and other structures on your property. It also protects you from liability for injuries or damage to someone else’s property.
Whether you need renters insurance, condo insurance, or a homeowners insurance policy, our agent can help you find the coverage you need at the best available rates.
How Much Home Insurance Do I Need?
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| What Determines How Much Home Insurance I Need? |
| It’s not always easy to know how much homeowners insurance you need. Say you have a $100,000 home: your homeowners insurance coverage should also be $100,000, right?
Not quite. There are actually many more factors at play than just the market’s current price on your home, from structure to contents. The cost to rebuild your home Nobody has a crystal ball, so it’s best to factor that into your insurance. To calculate this figure, multiply your square footage by the per-square-foot building costs in your area. You should also factor in any additions you have made since initial construction and the specific style of your home. The cost of adhering to new codes Depending on when your home was built, you might have to adhere to new codes during a rebuild, which may add to the expense. Adding an endorsement to the policy could help you plan for this. The cost to replace what’s inside the home While you can’t cover sentimental value, you can insure the physical contents of your home. Take an inventory of your belongings so that you can plan for the cost of replacement if you ever need to make a claim. The cost of liabilities Liability insurance is what will protect you if you ever find yourself in a lawsuit because of your home, whether that’s a broken window or a dodgy porch leading to an accident. Sound confusing? We can help. Call or email us to figure out the best insurance plan for you. |
| Carbon-Neutral Airships: A New Way to Travel |
| In humanity’s quest to reduce carbon emissions and lessen our footprint on the environment, a fantastic breakthrough has been made in the UK with the advent of the world’s first carbon-neutral airship.
HAV (Hybrid Air Vehicles) is a British blimp-making company working on creating sustainable air travel for the future, decarbonizing one of the biggest polluting industries on the planet. Their latest invention is Airlander 10, a prototype airship that can travel 460 miles using a mixture of electricity and combustion. HAV says their new ship will reduce the average carbon dioxide emissions per customer by up to 75 percent and are aiming to have a fleet operational for short-haul flights by 2025. The initial routes they are looking to offer include flights between Vancouver and Seattle, from England to Northern Ireland and from Barcelona to Spain’s Balearic Islands. Furthermore, by 2030, HAV hopes to have a completely zero-emissions fleet, switching to all-electric airships and removing the element of combustion. After six test flights yielded a high success rate, the Airlander 10 prototype is now officially certified to fly in the UK, and the company hopes to have three ready for service by 2025. From there onwards, they hope to build 10 new airships per year. With the climate emergency as present as it’s ever been in the public consciousness, this is a breakthrough that will give genuine hope to many, paving the way for an optimistic future for a sustainable air travel industry. |
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Do I Need Business Insurance for My Side Gig?
A side gig is a great way to earn extra cash. It is an opportunity to branch out on your own, and it could even grow into a full-time business that allows you to “quit your day job.” One thing to keep in mind while running a side hustle is the importance of protecting your business and yourself in case something goes wrong. To be fully protected, you may need business insurance.
Does Every Side Gig Need Business Insurance?
Whether or not you need business insurance depends on the level of risk associated with your side gig. If you are working on someone else’s house, you need insurance for protection against liability. On the other hand, if you are working from home as a writer, there is not much risk involved, and you may not need the protection. Consider the following to help you decide if you need business insurance for a side hustle:
- Are business packages delivered to your home?
- Do customers or clients come to your home?
- Do you use your vehicle for work?
- Do you handle any sensitive material or process payment information?
- Do you work with children or animals?
- Could anyone be injured or become ill as a result of your business?
- Could a major inventory loss or lawsuit wipe you out?
The main question to ask yourself is what happens if something goes wrong. If you stand to lose everything you have built, then you may need business insurance.
What Types of Gig Insurance Do I Need?
Each side business is different, and so are its insurance needs. A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) may be a good place to start. This is a customized, packaged policy including different types of coverage you may need. A BOP generally includes property, liability, vehicle, business interruption, and crime insurance. Our agent can help you tailor a BOP to meet your specific requirements.
General Liability Insurance
General liability is basic coverage most businesses require. It protects you and your business from liability for bodily injury or damage to someone else’s property. Most BOPs include general liability coverage, plus property protections.
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional liability insurance is also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. It provides protection against lawsuits and claims against your business based on alleged errors, negligence, or failure to perform. Typically, these policies cover legal costs associated with claims and any settlements or awards, up to policy limits.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Even small businesses are at risk for cyber-attacks. Hackers could break into your system and steal your clients’ personal information, which could lead to lawsuits for breach of privacy. Cyber liability insurance covers the cost of legal expenses and settlements associated with lawsuits resulting from cyber-attacks. It may also cover costs of notification, credit monitoring, retrieving data, fines and penalties, and client and personal identity theft loss.
The business insurance package you purchase for your side gig should be tailored to your unique needs. Speak with our agent for knowledgeable advice on how to protect yourself and your business.
The DIY Guide to Winterizing Your Boat
If your boat is kept in a cold winter weather area without heated storage, you will want to winterize before the first freeze sets in. You can pay someone else to winterize it for you, or save money by doing it yourself in a few simple steps.
Steps for Winterizing an Inboard/Outboard Drive Boat
Gather Your Tools and Supplies
A factory service manual could be an invaluable reference to help you locate all the drain ports and cooling units on your boat. You will also need tools and materials, including:
- Oil suction pump
- Lube injection pump
- Drain plug gaskets
- Screwdrivers
- Socket wrenches
- Combination wrenches
- RV antifreeze
- Fogging oil
- Oil filter
- Motor oil
- Bucket
Clean the Carburetor and Change the Engine Oil
First, change the oil and filter. Remove the dipstick and insert the suction hose in the dipstick tube to take out the old oil. Then replace the filter and add fresh oil.
Next, fill the gas tank with non-oxygenated fuel, add a fuel stabilizer, and run your boat to a landing. While the boat is still in the water, take the spark arrestor out of the carburetor and fog the engine. Take the boat out of the water on a trailer to perform the remaining steps.
Drain Off the Coolant
Tip the trailer and place a bucket under the hull drain. Use an open or box-end wrench to remove the hull plug. Get in the boat and start removing drain plugs or hoses near the top of the engine. Make sure to remove plugs or hoses from the oil cooler, block drain plugs, power steering cooler, and exhaust manifolds. Instead of screwing the drains open, you can remove the entire valve, for better drainage and to prevent the wings from breaking off.
When the boat is finished draining, reinstall all the plugs and hoses, except for the block drain plugs. Remove the hose attached to the thermostat housing, or the thermostat itself, and pour in RV antifreeze until it comes out of the block drains. Once it stops draining antifreeze, re-insert the hull and block drain plugs.
Lubricate Lower Unit
Take the bottom drain plug out of the lower unit, allow it to drain for a few minutes, and remove the upper vent plug. When all the old lube has drained out, use a screw-in pump nozzle to refill it with fresh high-performance lube. Put new gaskets in the vent and drain holes and reinstall plugs.
Charge the Battery
As a final step, remove the terminals and fully charge the battery. You can leave the charged battery in the boat or bring it inside and attach it to a maintainer. Now that winterizing is done, you can cover your boat until spring.
Get the Right Insurance Coverage
Boat insurance can help protect you against damage to your boat, new boat replacement, and liability for personal injury, property damage, or fuel spills. Our agent can help you find the right boat insurance policy to protect your investment.
Is Your Property Ready for Fall?
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