In its broadest sense, telematics is the joining of two sciences—telecommunications, a branch of technology including phone lines and cables, and informatics such as computer systems. Today, the term is commonly used in reference to the telematics solutions utilized in commercial fleet vehicles. According to Gartner, wireless telematics devices and “black box” technologies collect and […]
Are Smart Homes a Smart Idea?
As technology is such an integral part of our daily lives, especially during the pandemic and its related restrictions and concerns, it’s no surprise that consumers are increasingly converting their homes into “smart homes.” The $78.3 billion market is set to grow to $135.5 billion by 2025. Makes sense, given that more families have been staying at home for longer periods […]
5 Work-From-Home Risks That Are Here To Stay
Businesses were exposed to new and expanded risks when employees abruptly began working from home last year. The most pressing risks – like IT security and remote accessibility – were quickly addressed. However, many of the mitigations put in place were designed to be temporary fixes rather than long-term solutions. And that could leave you […]
How Remote Work Changes Agency Culture
Remote work is now an accepted practice for both agencies and insurers whether by necessity due to the pandemic or a growing workforce preference for working at home. Even considering the advantages of remote work such as flexible work schedules, greater autonomy, and fewer office interruptions, what is being lost in team building, collaboration, and […]
Most Common Remote Work Security Risks in 2021
Remote work has become a highly popular and common practice around the world, especially now as companies allow a significant part of their employees to remain remote. However, while this practice increases flexibility, improves productivity, and enhances work-life balance, there’s a downside to it – remote work security risks. In this new remote-working landscape created […]
Homeowners Insurance Covers Theft, but specialty items like fine art may require additional coverage
Homeowners insurance protects your dwelling and personal property, and it offers liability coverage for injuries that happen on your property. If damage or theft occurs due to covered event (known as an insurance peril), homeowners insurance will cover the loss. If your possessions are stolen, you’re covered under homeowners insurance’s personal property coverage. If your […]
What You Should Know When Buying a House in a Flood Zone
There’s a saying: where it can rain, it can flood. So for homebuyers, the question shouldn’t be, “can my house flood?” Rather, you should be asking, “what is the flood risk?” Naturally, flood risk is heightened if you get a house along the coast or near a large body of water (rivers and lakes), but […]
Home Insurance Prices up Due to Building Material Costs
Home insurance prices are increasing in conjunction with build material costs according to a spokesperson for Greater Nashville Realtors. According to the group, insurance costs are up 25-percent. Supply chain limitations and increased demand for homes have driven material prices high. Insurance companies are adjusting their prices to match home building costs in the event […]
Homeowners Insurance: What to Know Before Selling Your House
With the slew of tasks involved in selling a house, handling its homeowners insurance probably isn’t a the top of your to-do list — and might not even be on the list at all. But overlooking the insurance implications of a home sale risks leaving your property and possessions vulnerable. Consider the potential risks. The […]
Does Home Insurance Cover Fences?
You bought home insurance to help cover the cost of repairs if your house gets damaged by life’s what-ifs. The good news is that your policy extends coverage well beyond the walls of your home, too. In many cases, that means that your home insurance will cover your fence. Still, though, you do not get […]
Avoid Holiday and Black Friday Scams with these Cyber Security Tips
The holiday season is finally here and with it brings a multitude of sales. According to Pew Research Center, 80% of American adults are now purchasing products online. But may of these online shoppers don’t realize the potential risk involved with online scams and fraud perpetrated by cybercriminals to deceive buyers. In this blog, we […]
Cyber Protection During Mega Shopping Holidays
For many decades, Thanksgiving has been the unofficial kickoff to major holiday shopping sprees. From the madness of Black Friday to the incredible deals on Cyber Monday, hordes of people flock to retail outlets and websites, throwing their cyber data, credit card numbers, and passwords all over the place on the way. With so much […]
Cyber Liability Coverage goes beyond identify theft insurance to cover hacking, cyber bullying, and more
As technology advances, it makes our lives easier. But there’s also a risk for homeowners as we integrate smart technology such as smart televisions and security systems into our homes. Not only does identity theft pose a risk, but you could also be on the hook for damages if you accidentally release a virus or […]
Cyberattacks Turn into Targeted Affairs
Cyberattacks have turned into more targeted and sophisticated affairs. The days of hackers using the old-school spray and prey approach, where they infiltrate a network and then splatter malicious software hoping to entice and extort random victims, are slowly dying away. In their place, a much more concerning trend has emerged. Today, cyber threat actors […]
What Should I Do If I Get into a Car Accident with a Rental Vehicle?
People often rent vehicles when going on vacation, particularly if they are driving long distances and want to avoid putting the wear and tear on their own car. Rental cars are also used when car owners need to have repairs made to their own vehicles. Whatever the reason for renting a vehicle, there are important […]
Can I Get Auto Insurance with a Foreign License?
With so many people from around the world living in the U.S., it is natural to wonder and ask, “Can I get auto insurance with a foreign license?” The short answer is that you can, but you may not be able to from every insurance company. We’ll walk you through what you need to get […]
How Much Should I Spend on a Car?
Leather interior. Rearview cameras. Automatic emergency braking. While you may dream of a shiny new car with all these features and more, you may need to prepare for sticker shock. The average new car costs more than $40,000, and used cars average above $21,000. Of course you can buy a brand new car for as […]
What Are the Main Factors That Influence Car Insurance Premiums?
Insurance companies analyze a vast number of factors to determine the premiums paid by their customers. Some of these factors can be improved by the policyholders, while no one can improve other policy determining factors. The following top factors can have a significant impact on the premium paid by a policyholder: Demographic data. The driver’s age, […]
6 Mistakes to Avoid When Renting
After 18 months of living and getting through a pandemic, more first-time renters are looking for a new place than last year as the result of many young adults choosing to stay home and live with their families. While moving out is a large milestone and often very exciting, it is easy to make mistakes […]
All the Expenses You Need to Consider When Living on Your Own
You’re moving in to your first place. Maybe you are living with three roommates or maybe you are living completely on your own. Whatever your situation is, you are likely going to have a lot more expenses than you anticipated. An important step towards ‘adulting’ is setting a budget. But we hear this time and […]