Resources
For more information on each topic, click on the corresponding heading.A.M. Best Company, Inc.
A.M. Best issues financial-strength ratings for insurance companies based upon their ability to pay claims. Choosing a carrier that is financially strong is an important aspect of any insurance decision. How does your carrier rate?
Avoiding Dog Bite Injuries
Statistics show that there are 4.7 million dog bite victims annually in the United States. Even the sweetest family dog may still resort to canine behavior, and dog bite injuries are often traumatic to the victim and result in claims against homeowner’s liability insurance. This brochure from Hanover Insurance explains how to interact with your pet for safety and how to avoid dog bite injuries.
Business Fleet Safety
This handy brochure from Hanover Insurance provides helpful pointers to help reduce accidents involving vehicles in your business fleet.
Disaster Preparedness
Earthquakes, tornados, floods, chemical spills – the Federal Emergency Management Agency has seen it all, and they are an expert resource for people who want to ensure their family and property will be safe in event of disaster. You’ll find lots of practical advice on their website.
Disability Update
Whether you have just suffered a disabling injury or illness or are caring for a family member with disabilities, DisabilityInfo.gov will provide you with helpful information about disability programs, benefits, services, and laws.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers. For over 30 years the organization has researched what works to prevent auto vehicle crashes and the resulting injuries. An affiliate, the Highway Loss Data Institute, is a nonprofit research organization that publishes insurance loss statistics for most car, SUV, pickup truck, and motorcycle drivers on US roads. You can review safety testing results on a vehicle you own or are considering purchasing. In addition to personal safety concerns, usually safer vehicles cost less to insure.
Good Health Begins at Home
The U. S. Department of Agriculture sponsors Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Healthy Lifestyle! a website specifically designed for parents and caregivers to provide information to help you eat better, become more physically active and be a role model for your kids. Lots of ideas to help ensure your family learns by your good example and stays healthier.
A Healthy Lifestyle
Lifestyle – eating right, exercising, controlling weight – your choices will help you live a longer, healthier life and reduce your medical costs. The American Heart Association website has solid advice for people who want to live an overall healthier lifestyle.
How Medigap Insurance Protects You
If you are nearing retirement age, you need to consider medigap (or Medicare supplement) insurance to help cover costs of medical care not covered by Medicare and Medicaid. The Center for Medicare Advocacy website will help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and what you can do about it.
Insurance Services Office (ISO)
Insurance Services Office, Inc. provides information regarding catastrophe models, legal services, risk management, and underwriting. ISO also has a division that determines Public Protection Classifications for communities based upon the capabilities of their fire protection. These PPCs help insurers create models helping to evaluate the risk of fire losses and set their rates accordingly.
Investing in Annuities
Investing in an annuity may be a wise choice if you’re looking for a way to guarantee income in your retirement years. The Insurance Information Institute provides this basic information as to what annuities are all about, how they pay out, and how you can combine annuities and life insurance to protect your family and guarantee your income throughout your lifetime.
Learn About Life Insurance
Got questions about life insurance? How much do I need? What kind should I buy? With answers to questions, lots of advice, and resources for insurance consumers and the media, the Insurance Information Institute website is recognized as a first-class expert on all things insurance.
Life Insurance in Your Financial Planning
Life insurance may be an important component of your financial planning picture. AARP includes information to help you consider how life insurance and other financial instruments will help to guarantee your family’s security.
Mobile Home Fire Safety
If you live in a mobile home, you need to take certain precautions to ensure that your home is a safe place for your family. Through years of experience and study, Foremost Insurance Company has become expert in insuring mobile homes and RVs, and offers these tips for mobile home safety.
OSHA
Occupational Safety & Health Administration – the U.S. Department of Labor hosts an extensive website with information on legislation, federal and local compliance guidelines, resources, and so much more.
Planning for Long-Term Care
Long-term care insurance can put the decision into your hands about how you will be cared for once you can no longer care for yourself. The AARP website provides you with guidelines to help decide whether you need this coverage and how to buy it.
Preventing Fire Damage
A home fire is a terrifying and dangerous event that can cause damage to your home and personal property as well as serious injuries to your family. The Home Safety Council offers a variety of tips to help you keep your home fire-safe.
Preventing Water Damage
Water damage is the cause of a great number of claims against homeowner’s insurance. Yet much of the damage to your home and personal property can be prevented. Find out more with Safeco’s Drip Discovery Checklist.
WorkCompWisdom
Understand what drives your workers compensation premium - and how to realize cost savings.
