Creative Ideas for Outdoor Winter Hosting
Winter can feel like the longest season. With shorter days and colder temps, the winter blues can sink in fast. But don’t write off the possibility of hosting an outdoor party – even in the coldest months. With smart planning and a little creativity, you can still host a fun (and safe) gathering outside. Read […]
The Unwanted Passenger: Handling a Mouse Living in Your Car
Risks: More than Just a Nuisance It’s not just the “ick” factor. A mouse infestation in your car can lead to serious problems. They can: Destroy wiring: This can cause expensive damage and even lead to a fire. Spread diseases: Mice can carry diseases, such as Hantavirus, that can be harmful to humans. Damage your […]
5 Tips to Keep Teens Safe Behind the Wheel
This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 15 through 21, 2023). Due to various factors, teen drivers have a higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. Parents play an important role in teen driving safety. The following are tips to help keep teenagers safe behind the wheel.
Schedule Driving Practice Sessions With Your Teenager
One of the main risk factors for teen drivers is inexperience. Teens may lack the judgment to allow safe gaps in traffic, turn safely, and travel at the right speeds for conditions. Teen drivers who continue to practice with their parents have a lower risk of being involved in a crash.
Lay Down Ground Rules and Expectations
Parents who sign for their minor children to receive driver’s licenses are legally liable for any damages their children may cause behind the wheel. Before your teenager is allowed to drive, it is important to discuss your rules and expectations. Some parents enter into written agreements with teens to ensure the rules are understood.
Establish when the car can be used, who will pay for gas and insurance, and what the ground rules are. Make it clear to your teen driver that none of the following are allowed:
- Using cell phones while driving
- Taking on extra passengers
- Speeding
- Alcohol or drug use
- Driving or riding without a seatbelt
Take Steps to Deter Speeding
Speeding is a major safety issue among teen drivers. In 2021, it was a factor in 32% of passenger vehicle drivers 15 to 18 years old involved in fatal crashes, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Studies have shown that speeding increases over time as teen drivers gain confidence. Get involved, monitor your teenager closely, and set a good example by never speeding yourself. Wait to get your teenager his or her own vehicle. According to a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), teens are more likely to speed in their own vehicle than in the family car.
Help Prevent Drowsy Driving
With school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and socializing with friends, teens tend to compromise on their sleep. This can lead to drowsy driving, which affects a driver’s alertness, attention, reaction time, judgment, and decision-making capabilities. To reduce the risk of a drowsy driving accident, establish and enforce a regular bedtime, limit the use of electronic devices, and limit nighttime driving.
Set a Good Example
Parents who engage in unsafe driving behavior, such as texting or talking on cell phones while driving, set a bad example for teen drivers. Studies have shown that teens whose parents impose restrictions and set good examples typically engage in less risky driving and are involved in fewer accidents.
When your teenager starts driving, it is essential to have the right auto insurance coverage to protect you from liability. Our knowledgeable agent can help you add a teen driver to your policy and get the coverage you need at the lowest possible cost.
Explainer: What is Long-Term Care Insurance?
It’s not something you want to think about, but most of us will need long-term care at some point in our lives. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), once a person reaches age 65, they have almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services […]
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.
What You Need to Know About Snow Tires
Before the first snow falls and temperatures start to drop, it’s always a good idea to prepare your car for winter. That means freshening up your car emergency kit, checking the antifreeze and throwing in that bag of kitty litter in case you need a little extra traction. And speaking of traction: When was the […]
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.
What’s All the Fuss About Annuities
Commonly used to fund retirement, annuities are especially popular with retirees and those approaching retirement age. Whether you’re already retired or are thinking about retiring, you might consider an annuity to help support the next part of life’s journey. Purchases of the financial contracts between individuals and insurance companies have skyrocketed lately, as buyers have […]
The Ultimate Guide to Company Vehicles: Purchasing, Maintenance and Resale
Business fleets come in many shapes and sizes from two or three sedans to hundreds of commercial delivery trucks. But they all have one thing in common: they meet the essential transportation needs of the companies they serve. When managed correctly, a fleet of vehicles can help you reduce expenses and improve the efficiency of […]
Getting the Best Value for Your Auto Insurance Needs
Your Window to Savings You may be eligible for valuable discounts on your auto policy. We want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your dollar based on the coverage you and your family need, but we need to hear from you to do so. Are you driving less? Or are you adding […]