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Posts in June 2016

15 fireworks safety tips to prevent injuries and property damage

The Fourth of July and spectacular fireworks displays go hand-in-hand. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

Fireworks are beautiful, but they’re also dangerous.

In 2013, in the United States alone, fireworks caused an estimated 15,600 reported fires, including 1,400 total structure fires, 200 vehicle fires, and 14,000 outside and other fires, according to the Quincy, Massachusetts-based  National Fire Protection Association. These fires resulted in an estimated $21 million in direct property damage.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 230 people on average go the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. In 2013, there were eight deaths and an estimated 11,400 consumers who sustained injuries related to fireworks. … read more > “15 fireworks safety tips to prevent injuries and property damage”

5 types of cyber attacks and how they can affect your business

Cyber attacks come in many different forms, and the type of attack on any particular company depends on the type of information the intruder is looking for. (Photo: Shutterstock)

 

Cyber attacks come in many different forms, and the type of attack on any particular company depends on the type of information the intruder is looking for. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Interest in cyber coverage is at an all-time high, and those who previously thought it a luxury — or not a necessity — are taking a much closer look at their exposures.

A recent Marsh report shows that cyber insurance purchases grew 32% in 2014 when compared with 2013, and up 21% in 2013 over 2012. “The yearly increase shows that organizations see cyber as a risk to be managed, not merely a problem to be fixed by IT,” the report asserts.

Damian Caracciolo, vice president and practice leader at CBIZ Management & Professional Risk, said that cyber attacks affect all industries, but the type of attack deployed depends on the industry to which the company being targeted belongs.… read more > “5 types of cyber attacks and how they can affect your business”

6 things to know before signing up with a home-sharing rental site

Are you intrigued by the idea of renting a room in your home to earn extra income? You may be thinking that it’s easy money, and you can rent a room for a short time or your entire house for a long time. But before you sign that rental agreement, here are six things the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) wants you to know.

What are home sharing websites?

There are several online solutions available that let you rent a room or your home to a stranger you meet by using an app or a website, called home-sharing solutions, explains NAIC. Home-sharing or peer-to-peer rentals (P2P) are sites like Airbnb, Roomorama, VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) and HomeAway that connect hosts with guests. Guests find a property and pay for the stay just as they would in a hotel. The difference is that the property is not a licensed hotel or bed and breakfast and is often a privately owned apartment, condo or house.

… read more > “6 things to know before signing up with a home-sharing rental site”

Road trip! 7 safe-driving tips for new graduates

Whether they’re graduating from high school or college, many new graduates will be on the roads this summer to celebrate their hard work.

From parties to weekend getaways to road trips, young drivers will be on the road often this summer and need to keep some safety tips in mind.

From buckling up to avoiding distracted driving, there are simple safety precautions teens and young adults can take to prevent accidents. According to the National Safety Council, car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens, with more than half of the teens killed in car crashes found not to have been wearing a seatbelt.

Here are some safe driving tips for new graduates from the Chicago-based Property Casualty Insurers Association of America:

Cash

(Photo: iStock)

1. Beware of crash taxes

It’s been banned or limited in several states, but many states, cities, counties, and fire districts will charge the at-fault driver for emergency response costs in an auto accident.

… read more > “Road trip! 7 safe-driving tips for new graduates”

25 ways to keep your auto and home safe from thieves this summer

One of the best ways to save on Auto and Homeowners’ insurance is to stay claims-free. Securing your vehicle and house will help prevent theft, save you money along with the hassle of dealing with unexpected property losses this summer.

In 2014, there were an estimated 8,277,829 property crimes (burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts) reported by law enforcement, according to the latest FBI annual report on “Crime in the United States, 2014.” Financial losses suffered by victims of these crimes were calculated at approximately $14.3 billion.

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Peak season for home burglaries

Summertime is peak season for household property crimes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Open windows and open garages along with extended absences from your home for travel and outdoor activities, demand extra vigilance.

The average homeowner’s losses for theft from 2010-2014 was $3,786, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).… read more > “25 ways to keep your auto and home safe from thieves this summer”