The Concklin Blog

Many often file their insurance policies among life’s “set-and-forget” items. We rarely give them much thought after obtaining the policies and coverage we think we need. Over time, however, life and insurance industry changes can affect insurance coverage in ways we might not even realize. That’s why it’s important to do a regular review of all your policies to ensure your records are up-to-date, your coverage is still what you believe it to be, and you aren’t spending more on premiums than you need to. Here are some simple steps for a thorough yet hassle-free annual insurance review.

When you think of insurance, the obvious might come to mind: health insurance, car insurance, life insurance, and homeowners or renters insurance. But life is full of many other important things and defining moments. Should you insure those, too? Here’s a look at some lesser-known policies that offer important coverage to those who invest in them.

Have you ever rented a car and felt awkward confusion when the representative asked you to accept or decline rental car insurance? Could you have made a big mistake if you’d declined? Would you have wasted money if you’d accepted? Understanding your regular insurance policies and what they cover when you’re behind the wheel of a rental car can help you make an educated choice next time you’re at the rental counter.

Vacations: We dream of them, save for them, and plan their every detail months in advance. They’re our escapes from everyday doldrums, monotonous routines, and nagging responsibilities. Unfortunately, life’s unforeseeable twists and turns don’t take breaks just because we do. Accidents, illnesses, theft, lost luggage, and weather disasters can upend vacations before they even start. But when is it necessary to invest in travel insurance — and when is it best to skip unnecessary added expenses?

Businesses are a bit like snowflakes: No two are exactly alike. This means there is no quick and easy formula for assessing potential business insurance risk. A commercial insurance underwriter’s job is to assess the risk of providing insurance to a business owner based on that owner’s type of business, business activities, and claims history. It’s a tedious analytic process, and many business owners don’t understand what underwriters are looking at when their businesses are subject to review.

Life can be complicated. The older we get, the more complex it can become: more assets, more dependents, more decisions to be made in the event our own lives are unexpectedly cut short. If you were suddenly gone tomorrow, would your family be financially secure without your income? The answer may depend on two simple words: life insurance.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or so the song goes. It promises “parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow.” But in the midst of such seasonal jubilation, don’t fall victim to hidden household dangers that lurk beyond the twinkling lights and perfectly wrapped packages. Filing insurance claims due to preventable property damage or theft is sure to put a damper on holiday cheer. Instead, be aware of common seasonal hazards and take proper measures to keep your home safe and your celebration merry, bright, and insurance-claim-free!

Homes often mirror changes in homeowners’ lives. As families grow or careers takes new paths, homeowners adapt their spaces to accommodate such life events. When they need more space, they make additions or finish basements. And when homeowners found home-based businesses, their homes double as offices.

Dehumidifiers can mitigate moist conditions that cause condensation on windows as well as musty smells, mold, and mildew. Mold flourishes in areas above 65% humidity and can cause breathing problems, skin conditions, and other illnesses. Over time, humidity can also wreak havoc on furniture, appliances, fixtures, and structures. Thus, maintaining proper humidity levels is important for healthy, comfortable living — and a dehumidifier is often the go-to small appliance for handling it.

As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in party planning, shopping, gift wrapping, and home decorating … while forgetting about home winterization. But skipping some simple winter prep steps can lead to high utility bills, costly home repairs, insurance claims, and more. Get your home ready now so you can spend your time and money on the more enjoyable things winter brings.

Images of Florida, Houston, Puerto Rico, and other hurricane-riddled areas serve as powerful reminders that flooding can wreak devastating havoc on property. While water damage from historic weather events like hurricanes may be impossible to prevent, there are proactive measures homeowners can take to protect their homes from isolated water damage that typical seasonal rainfall or snowmelt can cause. And proper insurance coverage can add an additional layer of protection.

 — and Which Behaviors They Reward Just as there are many types of vehicles on the roadways, there also are a variety of drivers behind wheels. And how insurers perceive drivers plays a major role in determining what those drivers pay for auto insurance.

In June, severe weather cost the U.S. economy over $3 billion. Insurance companies covered at least $2 billion of that damage. To help compensate for the costs of increasingly extreme weather, many insurance providers have begun raising their premiums and deductibles, making it more difficult for business owners in areas prone to harsh weather conditions to obtain the severe weather coverage they need. In fact, 40% of businesses never reopen after sustaining severe damage from a natural disaster.

Imagine the horror of coming home to find your belongings destroyed or stolen. Then you find out your landlord’s insurance won’t cover your losses. Most people know the legal requirements relating to car, health, and homeowner’s insurance but often do not consider optional coverage, such as renter’s insurance.

If you own a vehicle and insure it, you know auto insurance rates are rising. Even if you have a clean driving record, you’ve likely seen your rates inch higher over the past few years. The average premium has risen by 16% since 2011. The reasons for this are manifold.

It’s hard to imagine anything could be as damaging to your home as winter storms, but the truth is spring and summer — with their inclement weather and sudden, severe storms — can be even more dangerous than winter. Once a storm hits, there isn’t much you can do but weather it. Therefore, it’s important to prepare yourself and your home in advance. But those aren’t the only things you need to protect. Homeowners and drivers can take steps to prepare their property against weather damage in the months ahead.

With summer nearly here, it’s time to whip out the barbecue and pull the boat out of the shed. However, be sure to keep in mind summer is also “trauma season” for hospitals. Children are more likely to be injured in summer. Follow summer safety tips and insure yourself and your family to keep accidents — and related costs — from derailing your summer and to keep everyone happy and healthy all season long.

There has been a dramatic increase in distracted driving related accidents in the United States because of phone and other electronic device usage — particularly among teenage drivers. This epidemic has drastically increased automobile accident rates and, unfortunately, the number of vehicular injuries and deaths.

Identity theft is a real concern for everyone. Even children as young as five months old are vulnerable, which represents a problem that will likely continue to grow. College students have a risk three times higher than others of being fraud victims. But identity theft may be an even bigger concern for seniors: Identity theft increased 25% among seniors between 2012 and 2014. While seniors may have a lower risk of identity theft than other age groups, they tend to be more vulnerable.

Does the impending arrival of spring and associated traveling bring a vacation home to mind? A vacation home is an ideal goal for many and can even be a solid investment strategy to aspire to. Part of that investment should include insurance coverage.

Running a business can come with an extensive list of day-to-day concerns from making sales and creating marketing and branding campaigns to keeping employee morale high and a hundred items in between. It can be easy to get buried in business aspects that demand your attention every day, but it’s imperative you not forget about the rare but devastating occurrences that could sink your business if you’re unprepared. One of your top priorities should be protecting your business, property, employees, and yourself from unforeseen events through restaurant or franchise insurance.