Each year, approximately 1,000 tornadoes with wind speeds as high as 300 miles per hour touch down in the United States. While the majority of these tornadoes occur in the area known as Tornado Alley (spanning south-central states in the U.S.), they can — and d0 — touch down all over the country. Just weeks […]
Is it Time to Take Earthquake Insurance Seriously?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey Survey’s (USGS) latest report, nearly half of Americans across 48 states are at risk for damage from an earthquake. 90 percent of Americans live in areas considered seismically active. Yet, the Insurance Information Institute estimates just a quarter of all homeowners in earthquake-prone areas have earthquake insurance. Why is […]
Camping Safety in the Hudson Valley
June is National Camping Month, and we can’t think of a better time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors! Below are some tips to help ensure your camping trip is safe should you venture out this summer: Cover all bases. Prepare for your camp outing by checking the weather report, learning about your […]
Protect Your Home (and Health) from Mold
When mold invades your home, it is more than just a petty annoyance and a pungent odor. Its habitation — on your walls and ceilings, in your pipes, on your carpet, or in your bathtub — can cause a whole host of issues, ranging from minor property damage to severe health problems. Growing on anything […]
Tips on What to do Before and After a Storm
When any type of big or destructive storm is expected, you need to make sure you take the right steps to ensure your assets are covered. The first step? Check your insurance policies because not all of them cover the following expenses: Tree or any other debris removal Water damage Water/Sewage back-up (for sewers, drains, […]
Biggest Auto Insurance Myths
When it comes to car insurance, there is a lot of misinformation going around that often passes for fact. So let’s separate the myths from the facts. Here are some of the most popular misconceptions: Myth 1: Vehicle color determines auto insurance rates. It doesn’t matter if your car is red, black, or champagne. […]
Driving on Wet Leaves: As Dangerous as Black Ice?
When we consider fall in the Hudson Valley and Tri-State Area, we tend to think of the beautiful, crisp weather and the rich tones of yellow, red, and orange leaves sweeping across the landscape. We think of our favorite fall traditions, like hay rides, leaf peeping, pumpkin picking, and trips to the local apple orchard […]
Refrigerated Food and Power Outages
When to Save and When to Throw Out At what point does food in the refrigerator become unsafe during a power outage? The USDA and Foodsafety.gov provide a very detailed chart as a guide to evaluate each food item: Click here to view. We are your business, home, auto, and life insurance solutions provider, […]
Credit Card Security: Chip vs. Swipe
Chip card security has become the latest standard in credit card security. The standard, called EMV, includes a small microchip in the credit card that protects buyers against fraudulent transactions. Surprisingly, EMV has been the standard in most parts of the world for over a decade, while banks in the U.S. have only just been […]