Newsletter

We live in world where lawsuits are common. Private firms are no longer immune from litigation from employees, competitors and even the government.  Management or professional liability insurance is not just good business; it is as necessary as heat and lighting for your office. Statutes, federal and state laws change on a regular basis, so it is vital that your company protect its assets with management or professional liability insurance.

Issues to Consider

• General Liability Insurance does not cover the risks of Employment Liability, Professional Liability, and Directors and Officers Liability. You need a separate insurance policy to cover these risks.
• Defense costs are going up at a rapid rate. Insurance can provide needed defense coverage, even if you are not liable.
• Company owners can be held personally liable for their actions as well as the actions of other managers or executives.
• The cost of the average Directors and Officers lawsuit is over $600,000 according to Chubb Insurance Company. 38% of these claims involve employment issues.
• 25% of private firms had some sort of employment issue that could not be resolved without legal counsel involvement. The average defense costs are $250 per hour.
• Many firms fail to purchase Cyber Insurance. However, the average cost of each compromised record is around $175.00. Most states have laws requiring notification if you have had an incident.

The best thing you can do is call our office and have us provide you with a risk review including coverage options. Once you have had a chance to review coverage and pricing, then you can make an informed decision. 

Why Choose Neate Dupey?

* Strong personal client relationships based on a platform of high professional standards.

* A combination of size, technical expertise, agility and innovation.
* We allow our clients to make fully informed decisions based on independent advice.
* Superior client outcomes driven by a clear understanding of our clients' business and industry risks, matched to comprehensive and cost effective insurance solutions.

Home Owners Insurance

One of the most important financial decisions you will make is insuring your home. This important decision can’t be done on the internet in 7 minutes, because your home can go up in flames in less than 10 minutes and you might be left with a large un-insured loss.

Buying Homeowners Insurance--The Right Way

1. Use an independent agent. We will search the market for the best coverage value for you.  Do you know that some insurers don’t like older homes, while others do? Do you also know that some insurers give certain discounts that others don’t? We know how to give you the best value.
2. Read your policy. It is important that you know what your policy covers. We can certainly answer any questions you have, but it pays to review your coverage.
3. Talk with us about your coverage needs. You may travel frequently, have many toys like ATV or boats, or you may have expensive jewelry; all these life style choices need to be considered when selecting homeowners insurance.
4. Have you completed any home improvement projects? Did you add a bathroom, enlarge your deck, or add a media room?  Home improvement projects may require an update to your policy.  
5. Often adding other coverage like auto, boat or RV to combine coverage will gain a better cost advantage.
6. Having a home security system or home sprinkler system often will help lower premiums.

We all want to save money, especially on our home insurance. However, you must know how to get a good rate without compromising on coverage. By talking to us and discussing the coverages needed for your home, you will be able to receive the best possible combination of coverage, price and service.

Why Choose Neate Dupey?

* Strong personal client relationships based on a platform of high professional standards.

* A combination of size, technical expertise, agility and innovation.
* We allow our clients to make fully informed decisions based on independent advice.
* Superior client outcomes driven by a clear understanding of our clients' business and industry risks, matched to comprehensive and cost effective insurance solutions.

Nothing beats a good cup of coffee, right? Well we thought it was time to share our secrets on how to brew that perfect cup. Here are simple steps that you can take to produce the perfect cup of coffee every time.

Start with quality. One of the most critical aspects of coffee drinking is the grade of the coffee that you start off with. If you have a favorite flavor, then purchase whole beans in that flavor. If you can do this, it will allow you to get the freshest coffee accessible.

Grind away. Purchase a quality coffee grinder. Some of the best grinders available today are easy to use and easy to clean up. By grinding your own coffee beans, you’ll be able to only grind what you need, meaning that you will have complete freshness in your coffee.

Store It Right. It is very fundamental to store your coffee tightly. Air oxidizes the coffee and can make it to get bitter quickly. Metal canisters can also enable a metal taste to get into the coffee, making it taste bad.

The Maker. The coffee maker that you use is also critical. No matter what style that you go with, you can get a good cup of coffee out of it if you take the essential steps to keeping it fresh.  For example, you should insure that the coffee maker is kept clean after each use. In fact, you’ll need to make sure that you detail clean it, with the assistance of vinegar, every so often as well. Your preferences will ultimately determine which style of coffee maker you will use. Make sure that it uses a permanent filter in it.

The Water. Even the water that you use is central to the quality of the coffee you will get from it. It is essential that you use water that is free from chlorine and minerals.

Often, using bottled water rather than tap water will augment the quality of the coffee. Also, keep the water nice and hot. A good temperature for the water is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Supply The Right Amount. It is also central for you to use the right quantity of coffee beans and coffee grounds in the maker. Too many and you will have a very strong cup of coffee and too few will make it to be too weak. Follow the directions provided by the coffee producer for the best cup of coffee.

Lastly and probably the most vital aspect of getting a great cup of gourmet coffee is to make sure to enjoy your coffee when it is hot and fresh. Most restaurants are told to keep coffee for less than thirty minutes, but at home, the best coffee is the coffee that hasn’t sat for more than twenty minutes.

All of us at Neate Dupey Insurance Group would like to thank you for your continued business and the opportunity to serve you! 

Personal Insurance Update

The holidays are behind us, the tree is down, and the gifts are put away.  But wait, you may have a problem! In some cases, you may need to update your home insurance or auto insurance in order to maintain the proper coverage.  Many of us may have purchased gifts that increase our personal liability, and we thought it might be good to review these items. If you have any of these items, please call your agent today.

Gifts That You Will Need To Add To Your Personal Insurance Program

• ATV’s, motorcycles, boats, and RV’s are not covered for damage or liability without an endorsement to your personal insurance policies.
• Jewelry.  If you bought an expensive ring, watch, or other item, it needs to be insured separately for loss and theft.
• Drones are considered aircraft and there are many new laws that could impact your personal liability. Call your agent to review these issues.
• The new car you purchased for your teenager will need to be added to your auto insurance policy.
• Smart home technology. These systems may actually help reduce your homeowner’s insurance, especially if the technology includes alarm systems.
• Guns and art may also need to be added to your policy if they are valued over a certain amount. Each policy is different, so call you agent.

If you added any other personal items of value you may want to review your personal property limits to make sure you are covered correctly. Let Neate Dupey Insurance Group help you choose a policy that will fit your individual needs.  Protecting your assets, whether personal, business, or both, is our goal.  A well-chosen policy can lessen the impact of some of life’s most common, yet unforeseen perils.  We’re here to help when you are considering Auto insurance.

 

Now that 2018 is here, it may be time to consider reviewing your personal insurance program. Most people don’t take time to review exposures, options, or their current economic condition before making their insurance purchase. Taking stock of your personal finances is important in order for you to plan for your future. Here are a few tips to help you get started. Of course we always recommend you call our office for more information.

• Maintain good credit - Regularly check your credit score, since a low score may impact your premium.
• Review your auto limits – If you have limits of less than $100,000, that won't even cover the medical bills in a serious accident. The minimum liability coverage that anyone with any assets or income to protect should be carrying is $500,000 to $1 million or more.
• Maintain a home inventory – Having an accurate account of your personal property can provide for greater recovery in the event of a loss.
• Bundle your insurance – Combine your auto, home and umbrella policies with one insurer to receive greater discounts.
• Set the right deductible - A higher deductible reduces your premium, but you have to pay more out of pocket in the event of an accident. If you have a good driving record and haven’t had an accident, you may want to gamble and opt for a higher premium. The reward for this risk could be up to a 40% savings.
• Consider Identity Theft – Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S.
• Buy from a financially strong company – Your insurance is only as good as the company who stands behind the policy. The insurance company should have an “A+” rating or higher.
• Be prepared to make adjustments as your lifestyle and needs change.

Get an Early Start On the Tax Season

• Maximize any tax investment savings. Contribute as much to your 401k as possible.
• If you have a Health Savings Account, check to see if you have any money left and get it spent on qualified expenses.
• Review your 2016 tax returns to determine if you need to make any withholding adjustments.
• Get an appointment set with your insurance agent to review all your personal insurance needs. As your life changes so do your insurance needs.
• Get all your financial records organized and ready for filing. Gather receipts, proof of charitable contributions, and other tax forms into one place. 
• If you have a tax preparer, set an appointment now. This is a good way to give you a deadline to complete all your necessary paperwork.
• Determine any last minute charitable contributions, and make them before the year’s end.