Posted by admin on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Check Your Homeowner's Policy for Coverage on Your Special Vehicles
Millions of Americans own special vehicles for recreation, personal assistance, property maintenance, and for other purposes. Residents and visitors in snow belt regions use snowmobiles. Golf carts cruise around golf courses and around many residential communities. Individuals with limited mobility use motorized wheelchairs and scooters…more »
Totaled Vehicles and Insurance Payouts – What You Need to Know
Car accidents take their toll physically, mentally, and financially on those involved. Take the time now to learn about how insurance companies determine the value of your vehicle and you will have one less thing to worry about if your vehicle is ever "totaled" in an accident…more »
Lowering Health Care Costs Through Smart Healthcare Decisions
The annual insurance renewal process is a difficult time for employees and employers alike, especially when faced with the rising cost of health care. Employers do their best to make the plans they offer affordable, and employees are often unhappy with the amount they must pay to receive coverage for their families…more »
D&O Insurance: A Necessity for Your Business
For the last several years, stories of wrongdoing and bad judgment by corporate managers have filled the headlines. Enron, Worldcom, and Countrywide are just some of the companies that became household names because of mistakes or criminal acts their leaders committed. These stories became big news because they were exceptional…more »
Did you know?
Most businesses carry commercial general liability insurance to cover the business’s legal liability, however this type of insurance usually does not cover claims against corporate officers for their errors in running the company. It is important to cover not only the business as a whole but also the individuals within the organization with Director and Office liability coverage.
Posted by admin on Monday, August 16th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
How to Raise a Money Genius
Want to make sure your little one grows up to be a money genius? It's time to get to work. You may be thinking, "But my son just mastered potty training! However, it's never too early to start grooming your child into a money managing pro. Although your children will probably learn the basics about money in school, it's up to you to teach them how to manage their finances. Here are a few tips to help you raise a money managing genius…more »
Keeping Your Retirement Goals On-Target
Planning for retirement can sometimes feel like studying rocket science, but it doesn't have to be so complicated. Throughout the last decade, economists and financial pundits have come up with "target numbers" to be used as waypoints and objectives for upcoming retirees. At times, individuals have placed too much weight on these experts' advice…more »
Be Aware of Social Media's Risks for Businesses
When just about any business these days is deeply involved with social media, it is apparent that these sites and tools have become mainstream. Indeed, it is hard to imagine that their use will not grow in coming years. They bring businesses to the places where their customers are and enable conversations. However, as with anything, the use of social media comes with risks of which every businessperson should be aware…more »
Don't Forget Insurance for Your Organization's Cyber Risks
The federal Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 330,000 complaints in 2009, and more than a third of them ended up in the hands of law enforcement. The damages from those referred to the authorities totaled more than a half billion dollars. The Government Accountability Office estimated that cyber crime cost U.S. organizations $67.2 billion in 2005; that number has likely increased since then…more »
Posted by admin on Friday, July 30th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
Immediate Steps to Take After an Accident
A car accident is always traumatic for any driver. Even if the damages are relatively minor, and both parties are uninjured, you may find yourself panicking over what to do next. There are important steps to take following any crash, no matter how severe.Since car accidents involve insurance companies, both drivers need to collect the necessary information. They can do this by following six basic steps…more »
15 Things to Consider Before Retiring
Making the leap into retirement is truly a life changing decision. Before stepping out of the workforce for good, individuals must be sure that they have saved enough money to last throughout their retirement years and must understand how to manage their savings to beat Uncle Sam and inflation. Here's a short list of things to consider before choosing to retire…more »
Does Your Builders Risk Policy Cover Soft Costs?
Work on the new office complex was progressing on schedule. The owner had lined up tenants for two-thirds of the space and was in talks with several others. The general contractor expected to finish construction on time. All that changed when fire broke out on the first floor late one afternoon…more »
Substance Abuse Costs Employers Billions
Substance abuse problems among employees cost businesses billions of dollars each year. According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in that year, 73% of the nation's adults with alcohol or drug dependence were employed either full- or part-time. This amounts to nearly 13 million Americans working under the influence. Put another way, this data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration means that 8% of full-time employed adults and 10.2% of part-time employed adults are substance abusers…more »
Posted by admin on Friday, July 16th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
Why Condo Owners Need Insurance
If you own a condominium, you may think you don’t need insurance protection. Think again. Although your condominium association offers a “master” insurance policy that covers the building and commonly owned property, this insurance probably does not protect your upgrades, furnishings and other belongings…more »
Is Your Home Protected Against Devastating Flooding?
Don't wait until the weather forecast calls for prolonged heavy rains before buying flood insurance. While this practical insurance can be purchased anytime, the policy does not take effect for 30 days. As the most common natural disaster in the country, flooding ruins millions of dollars of homes and property every year…more »
The Protect Your Small Business, Get Insured
Owning a business can be a very exciting and rewarding experience, but it is crucial that you do not overlook the risks that come along with it. Having proper financial protection gives family-owned businesses peace of mind and allows them to focus on what is important, moving the business forward….more »
Rid Yourself of Debt to Clear Your Retirement Path
A cursory analysis of many retirement obstacles quickly reveals that appearances can be deceiving. Many people would say that the biggest obstacle to retirement is not having enough money. The obvious question that follows is why this is the case. This question is only the beginning of the journey…more »
Posted by admin on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
After the Accident – Working with the At-Fault Driver's Insurer
You have just emerged from a car accident, but the good news is that you are not at fault. Now comes the task of successfully dealing with the other driver's insurance company. In order to begin, you must collect certain details at the site of the accident from the at-fault driver: their name, address and phone number, the name of their insurance company, their policy number, their claims number and their insurance company's address…more »
New Finding Money Safe Havens in the Present Economic Environment
The security of confidential information is a constant concern for businesses of all sizes. Client information, companyis an unbendable and unbreakable law of economics that states that wealth is created in one of only two ways: people working or money working. Many have attempted to break this law, and usually the results have violated both civil and criminal laws. These days, everyone is anxious to put their money in a safe place…more »
The Security of Digital Information
The security of confidential information is a constant concern for businesses of all sizes. Client information, company financial records, and other documents containing sensitive information are, as the quote above states, free for the taking from some copiers, scanners and printers…more »
The Laying Off Employees? Manage Your Lawsuit Risk
One of the most difficult aspects of running a business is the hiring and firing of employees. In particular, firing or terminating an employee can be a complex issue regardless of the circumstances involved. Proper handling is necessary in order to prevent the employee from harboring hard feelings against the company. Furthermore, in this situation the employee may develop a plan to find employment elsewhere…more »
Posted by admin on Monday, June 14th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
Tips for Weathering Hurricane Season
Experts are predicting a 51 percent chance that a major hurricane will hit the East Coast before the hurricane season ends in December. Similarly, the chance of a major hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast between the Florida Panhandle and Brownsville, Texas, is predicted at 50 percent. Both predictions are well above long-term averages, which signals a potentially active hurricane season…more »
New Pool = Check Insurance Coverage
You’re having a new pool installed in your backyard, and you can’t wait to dive into a summer of swimming fun. Of course, you may be so busy buying water wings, noodles and floats that you forgot to take care of one very important detail: your insurance. Now is the time to take a close look at your homeowner's policy to see if you have sufficient coverage for your new pool…more »
Oil and Water Don't Mix: Does Your Business Need Pollution Coverage?
In April 2010, an oil drilling rig owned and operated by Transocean Ltd. exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico. The accident killed 11 people and set off a massive oil spill, causing catastrophic damage to marine life and imperiling coastal areas in four states. Transocean was operating on behalf of the giant energy corporation BP, who owned the rights to the oil field where the rig was located…more »
Protect Your Possessions with an Electronic Home Inventory
Having a homeowner's insurance policy is not enough to thoroughly protect all the possessions in your home. Only by documenting your goods and updating the list on a regular basis, can you ensure you have enough insurance, settle claims faster and substantiate losses for income tax purposes. The process of creating a home inventory may sound overwhelming, but technology has made it quite simple…more »
Posted by admin on Monday, May 24th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
Don’t Forget the Risks of Car Sharing If you live in an urban area, owning a car can be both expensive and a hassle. Finding a parking spot may rival finding Osama Bin Laden in its difficulty. Paying for parking can leave a major hole in your wallet. Due to the sheer number of drivers on the road, insurance costs tend to be higher in large cities…more »
Building Your Child’s Financial Character
As millions of baby boomers in the United States rapidly approach old age, experts predict the number of long-term care patients will double over the next 30 years. What does that mean for you? It means that if you don’t have a long-term care plan in place, you and your family may have to face some tough choices down the road. Read on to learn why a long-term care plan is critical for every baby boomer…more »
You Might Not Have Coverage for ‘Impaired Property’
A contractor gets a job to install the systems that will control the bank of eight elevators in a new 20-story hotel. The contractor obtains the components from the distributor, installs them without any problems, and moves onto the next job. However, prior to opening, the hotel’s owners find that none of the elevators are working…more »
Review Your Business Interruption Coverage So You Can Stay in Business
Business interruption insurance is like disability insurance for a business. Disability insurance covers some of a person’s lost income when she is sick and unable to work. Business interruption insurance covers a business’s lost income when a fire, explosion, or some other peril causes it to shut down temporarily…more »
Did You Know?
Similar to people needing Disability Insurance to cover their lost income when sick or unable to work, businesses also need insurance to cover lost income when a fire, explosion, or some other peril causes it to shut down temporarily.
Posted by admin on Wednesday, May 12th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
Separate Households: Whose Insurance Covers the Kids' Accidents?
Michael and Maureen divorced after 18 years of marriage and agreed to joint custody of their three children. Their 11 year-old son Mikey is riding his bike one afternoon with some friends and not paying full attention to the road in front of him. A five year-old child chasing a ball runs into the road and Mikey strikes her with his bike, causing her to fall and break her arm. The child's furious parents sue both Michael and Maureen for compensation for her injuries and trauma…more »
Why LTC Planning Is Essential for Boomers
As millions of baby boomers in the United States rapidly approach old age, experts predict the number of long-term care patients will double over the next 30 years. What does that mean for you? It means that if you don't have a long-term care plan in place, you and your family may have to face some tough choices down the road. Read on to learn why a long-term care plan is critical for every baby boomer. …more »
Practice Safe Driving On Rain-Soaked Roads As a truck driver, there are many things you can control. You can control your steering and where you stop for the night. One thing that is out of your hands is the weather. Rain, sleet, hail and wind will all present themselves on different days to make your job more hazardous. The most often encountered adverse weather condition is rain, so learning how to drive safely in it, and prepare your vehicle for it, is vital…more »
Do You Really Need Full Replacement Insurance on Your Current Building?
The owners of a new company found a building on the market for an affordable price, so they bought it. Built in the 1940's to manufacture aircraft for the war effort, the metal structure had a large open space. The company occupying this space was in the software development business and the building was much larger than it needed, but the price made it seem like a sensible move…more »
Did you know?
A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that people who reach age 65 will likely have a 40 percent chance of entering a nursing home. About 10 percent of the people who enter a nursing home will stay there five years or more. Find out more about Amity’s Long Term Care.
Posted by admin on Monday, April 26th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
Teens Drinking At Parties = Insurance Issues
Every spring brings with it the prom and graduation party seasons. Unfortunately, these events often become occasions for teens to drink alcohol. Teens at unsupervised parties risk harming themselves and others when they drink. Parents who host these parties may bear responsibility for what happens there and for injuries or damages occurring after the guests leave….more »
Bloggers Should Ensure Liability Coverage Is Up to Par
Over the past several years, millions of people have begun writing weblogs (or “blogs,” as they are more commonly known.) There are as many reasons for blogs as there are blogs. Some people keep them as a journal to let distant friends and relatives know what’s happening in their lives. Others write about subjects that interest them, everything from gardening to NASCAR. Blogs often act as forums for people’s opinions or news reporting. These types of blogs invite controversy; in extreme cases, they may invite lawsuits if a person or organization takes offense at a particular post….more »
Laptop Lockdown: Safeguard Your Company’s Laptops
According to the FBI, there were 221,009 laptops reported stolen from 2008 through 2009. As an increasing number of business men and women are traveling with laptops in tow each year, this already high number is likely to keep rising. Statistics show that the most popular targets for laptop thieves are office buildings, airports, hotel rooms and cars…more »
Construction Defects: Do You Have Coverage for Bad Work?
A young couple with a growing family decided to sell their current home and build a new one. They contracted with a builder, and four months later moved into a beautiful new house. They were very happy for a while. Over time, they noticed pools of water in the basement, though the pipes overhead were dry. The basement walls began to show spots of dampness, followed by mildew growth and the accompanying odor…more »
DID YOU KNOW? More than 8% of eighth graders, 16% of sophomores, and 24% of seniors report recent binge drinking.
Posted by admin on Tuesday, April 13th, 2010| Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off
Featured Articles
How Healthcare Reform Will Affect You
Just about everyone in the country is wondering how the passage of the health reform bill by Congress will affect him or her. According to Kaiser Health News, this historic legislation could “have an effect on almost every citizen.” People, even those who are unemployed, will be able to get medical care. But professionals who have been enjoying the best health coverage available may possibly see their benefits dwindle…more »
Preparing for the Deluge: Why Everyone Needs Flood Insurance
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, no one could ignore the shocking media coverage documenting the devastating destruction. When the levees broke and storm waters surged, homes were swept away, families were left stranded on rooftops and many lost their lives. Suddenly, families throughout the nation were forced to ask themselves a frightening question: “What would happen if, in the blink of an eye, we lost everything to a rush of floodwaters?”…more »
Preventing and Insuring for Data Security Breaches: A Necessity for Your Business
By the end of 2009, 45 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories had enacted laws requiring notification of security breaches involving personal information. New York’s law is typical. It requires businesses that own or license computer data that includes private information to disclose any security breach of the system to any state resident whose private information the business believes was accessed without authorization…more »
Ten Ways to Protect Vacant Buildings
A slowdown in the economy leads to business cutbacks and closings, which ultimately results in vacant buildings. According to real estate firm CB Richard Ellis, the 2007-09 recession increased the average vacancy rate for offices to 17 percent nationwide; nearly 10 percent of retail spaces were vacant. When buildings contain no occupants or personal property, they become susceptible to a variety of problems…more »
For over ten years Amity Insurance has provided me with only the highest levels of customer service and attention. They are responsive, detail-oriented and customer-focused. They are always sensitive to obtaining the best price for my coverages, and as such they help me run my legal practice more efficiently and cost-effectively. What is more, they go beyond the role of the typical broker, offering practical solutions to managing risk issues in my practice. They are one of the few vendors, in any industry, which I recommend whole-heartedly and completely without reservations.Andrew Epstein
