Did you know that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s substantial damage rule applies to any building damage … not just flood damage? That’s right, even common homeowners policy perils such as wind, fire and/or water damage could trigger the requirement for a...
NOAA predicts a mild, warm Northeast this spring
Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its climate predictions for April, May and June. After a winter that was mild for some—and not so mild for others—this spring could be a much-needed break. However, some of these predictions come...
Alert: New Russian cyberthreats discovered, governments issue guidance to reduce cyber security exposures
Amid the escalating situations in Ukraine, federal and state governments are alerting U.S. individuals and businesses of more cyberthreats that stem from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that could impact cybersecurity in the near future. CISA cyber security...
Common Valentine’s Day purchases—and why you should remind your insureds to call you
Valentine’s Day—and the winter season in general—is a popular time of year when insureds invest in big purchases. Whether they’re investing in their future, or simply a new, expensive commodity, they could need insurance coverage—and that’s where you come in. Common...
Winter is here—and the NOAA shows us the latest on inclement weather
The winter season may bring warm fires, hot chocolate and cozy socks to mind—but residents in the Northeast aren’t strangers to the bitter cold, snowy conditions that accompany the winter months. For 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted...
New mask mandate in effect for N.Y.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week that masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places across New York state—unless businesses/venues implement a vaccine requirement—starting Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. What this means for your business What are the...
How the NFIP’s Risk Rating 2.0 affects agents, clients
The National Flood Insurance Program’s new premium rating methodology, Risk Rating 2.0 will go into effect Oct. 1, 2021, for new policies, but for policies that renew between Oct. 1, 2021, and April 1, 2022, the Rating 2.0 rates also are available, if they are...
WHAT?!?!—FEMA Risk Rating 2.0
Not up-to-date with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s new Risk Rating 2.0? Consider this a crash course in the new flood rating methodology, which will be rolled out in two phases starting Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Risk Rating 2.0 is an innovative theory, and we...
Agency perpetuation: The inevitable endgame
“I am ... inevitable.” Thanos—the big bad in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—utters this line at the end of Avengers: Endgame, to show that his act of wiping out a trillion people with a literal snap of his fingers was an act that could not be stopped. Interestingly,...
Best practices to selling in a hardening market
The insurance industry is comprised of cycles. Hard-market cycles happen to course correct when rates are inadequate, when there are recessions and economic turnarounds, or when unforeseen events occur, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even though the hardening...