It’s Cyber Awareness Month – Are You Following Good Practices?

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October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. Since the pandemic, more individuals are using digital accounts for purchasing through the internet. This can leave you vulnerable & increase your risk for a cyber-attack.

The majority of cyber-attacks begin with phishing emails. Knowing how to spot a phishing email is critical for protecting yourself from a cyber-attack.

Phishing emails are designed to make you click on links. They will often come from companies you use regularly such as Amazon, Apple, Netflix, or other well-known companies. They will often use their logo to make it appear it is coming from the company itself.

What steps do you need to take to determine if it is a scam?

Hover over the domain or email address in your inbox. This quickly gives you the answer you are looking for. If the email address is long or doesn’t look correct, it is a phishing email. If you are unsure if this is a phishing email, contact the company directly.

Best Practices for Internet Use:

  • Never click on links in emails. If you are concerned, go directly to the company’s website and login if this is possible.
  • If an email is asking you to verify your login, payment information, or any other personal data, this should be a red flag. Do not provide the info. If you are concerned, reach out to the company directly.
  • Don’t download attachments from emails.
  • Always choose a strong password. This should be up to 15 characters long with a variety of letters, numbers, or symbols. You can even use a phrase.
  • Change your password regularly. While this can be annoying, it is best practice.
  • Don’t repeat your password for multiple accounts.
  • If you share a computer with others, use individual accounts for logging in. Always log out of your account when you leave the computer.
  • Have a firewall installed on your computer.
  • If you are asked to save your password on your computer, don’t save it. This can leave you vulnerable.
  • If you have the option for two-step authentication, always choose it.
  • Always update the software on your tablet & phone.
  • Be aware of public wifi. This can leave you vulnerable to a cyber-attack.

How Could You Determine If You Have Been Hacked?

Whether it is your email, social media account, or bank account, if you see something that looks off, change your password immediately. We also recommend running an anti-virus or malware software on your computer too.

Follow these tips to help lower your risk for a cyber-attack. If you have questions about your insurance, contact our agency.

Auto Insurance, Renters Insurance & Discounts for Your College Student

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Insurance for your college student in Seattle, WALeaving for college is an exciting time for your child. Whether your child is moving out of state, moving out of your home or even living with you at home, college is a new chapter in his or her life. Being your agent, there are a few common questions we get asked about insurance.

Does My Child Need Renters Insurance at College?

It’s best we review your current home insurance policy as it may offer some coverage for your child’s belongings while away. Simply give us a quick call and we can do a review. If your child is living off campus, you may want to consider purchasing a renters insurance policy in his or her name. This can be as little as $30/month. As a bonus, this can provide liability coverage too.

My Child Will Not Be Taking a Car to School, Can I Take Them Off My Auto Insurance Policy?

Talk to your agent about this first before canceling. If your child plans to drive a vehicle when he or she returns home or if your child ever drives a friend’s car at school, it is best to keep your child on your policy.

Car Insurance Discounts For Your Child

A few car insurance discounts exist with insurance carriers. It’s important to discuss discount options with one of our agents.

Good Grade Discount – if your child gets good grades, talk to your agent to see if he or she can qualify for a good grade discount.

Multi-policy Discount – if your child has both an auto and renters insurance policy, he or she can earn a discount for bundling the policies together.

Resident discount – if your child is attending college over 100 miles away, but isn’t taking his or her vehicle, your child may qualify for a resident discount. Since the car will be parked at your home and is insured in your name, some insurance carriers will give you a discount since the car will not be used as often.

My Child Is Taking A Car To College. What Should I Know About Auto Insurance?

Reach out to your agent to update the garage address to keep the auto insurance policy up-to-date.

Should My Child Purchase His or Her Own Auto Insurance Policy?

If your child has moved out of the house permanently, it might be time to purchase a separate policy. We can explain their coverage options and shop all of our insurance carriers.

What Type of Insurance Do Small Business Owners Need?

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September 22nd is Business Women’s Day. Learn how to assess your insurance needs as a small business owner.

Woman business owner holding "open" sign

As National Business Women’s Day approaches again, the trends in women-owned businesses are more exciting than ever. With more and more women eager to carve out LLCs, S-Corps, and independent operations of their own, there’s never been a better time to jump in and seize the moment as an owner.

As with all great business plans, however, assessing insurance needs thoroughly before growth happens can prevent a lot of headaches and “growing pains” later.

What Type of Insurance Does My Small Business Need?

According to a 2021 survey of 2000 business owners by the Small Business Trends Alliance (SBTA), women-owned businesses are most likely, at 14% of the total, to be related to health, beauty, and fitness services, followed closely by business services at 12%.

While all of these niches are fast-growing and promising places to start a business, they also carry significant liability potential, which means liability insurance is a must.

Questions like these should be carefully weighed and discussed with an insurance agent to ensure comprehensive coverage:

  • Are the products or services being sold capable of potential bodily harm?
  • Is the business operating out of a location that clients will travel to?
  • Will the business be entering or operating out of a secondary location?
  • Will the business utilize any vehicle(s) for official business?

These are particularly important points for health and fitness business owners, who may travel to or operate out of gyms, client homes, or even their own homes.

Most personal insurance coverage – e.g. personal homeowner’s insurance policies, personal auto insurance policies, etc. – are not compatible with or suitable for covering business operations. That means that even though operating a new business out of a proverbial (or literal) car trunk or garage makes an inspiring brand story, it could quickly become a tale of woe if something goes awry.

Don’t take a chance – it’s always better to have a stronger policy than you think you may need, rather than getting caught without one!

Being Prepared with Paperwork

Women in business are a rich, vibrant, and necessary part of every market sphere, and that means that steady protection and coverage for their companies benefits everyone in their circles, even their rivals.

Shutting down potentially exploitive lawsuits, for example, sends a clear message throughout an industry not to repeat them. The easiest way to send that message? Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

Having your business insurance policy paperwork on hand, understanding how it protects you, and knowing its limits are just as important a part of your business “to do” list as opening the doors and stocking your shelves.

In order to protect your business and support it as it grows, a filing cabinet could potentially be your greatest ally. Always keep both paper and digital copies of your business insurance policies, as well as your insurance agent’s and, if applicable, legal representative’s contact information handy — you’ll be very glad you did if they’re ever needed in a hurry.

If your businesses or services offered require a contract between the business and client, treat these with the same level of care. You never know when you may need to reference a signature on the dotted line later on.