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Protect Your Pets from Spring Risks

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Protect Your Pets from Spring Risks

Keeping your furry friends safe this spring.

As a pet owner, you want to do everything in your power to keep your four-legged friend safe.  This is why you need to watch out for common springtime risks.  Here are some of the hazards that you need to be particularly wary of.

  • Fleas and Ticks

If your pets like to play outdoors, then they are at risk for flea or tick bites.  Not only can these pests make your pets itchy and uncomfortable, but they can also infect them with serious diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and so on.  To protect your pet from these parasites, take them into the vet and have then apply a preventative treatment.

  • Fertilizers

During the spring months, you may be excited to get your garden back in shape.  However, common plant fertilizers can be very dangerous if your pets ingest them.  If you are working with fertilizer, then you should store it where your pets cannot reach it.  You should also consider switching over to fertilizers that are all-natural and free of herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides.  This way, if your pet does ingest the fertilizer, it will not poison them.

  • Snakes

With temperatures warming up, many poisonous snakes are coming out of hibernation.  Unfortunately, your playful pet might mistake these dangerous reptiles for a fun playmate.  To protect your pets from snake bites, check your backyard before letting your pets loose.  Additionally, if you see that your pet is distracted or investigating something on the ground, run over to make sure they haven’t uncovered a snake.

These are some of the serious springtime risks that you need to protect your pets from.  Are you looking for another way to protect your loved ones?  Then make sure you have the right insurance in place.  For assistance with all your personal insurance needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.

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Precautions to Prevent Common Business Insurance Claims

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Precautions to Prevent Common Business Insurance Claims

Tips to protect your business against common insurance claims.

As a business owner, you want to protect your company from all the risks that it faces.  This is why it’s so important to have the right commercial insurance protection to fall back on.  That being said, most business owners would rather not access their insurance if they don’t have to.  If you want to avoid some of the most common types of business insurance claim events, then here are some of the precautions you should take.

Burglary and Theft

  • Install a security system– Installing burglar alarms and surveillance cameras and publicizing these security measures will reduce the chances of your business being targeted for theft.
  • Illuminate your business– Burglars prefer to work under the cover of darkness. By installing bright lights outside of your business, you can deter all but the boldest thieves.
  • Encourage anonymous reporting– Oftentimes, businesses are robbed by their own employees. By encouraging staff members to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior and setting up a system for anonymous reporting, you can catch and fire employees who are defrauding your company.

Slip- and- Fall Injuries

  • Clear walkways– To reduce the chances of employees or customers tripping and injuring themselves while on your business’s property, you should make sure that hallways and walkways are clear of clutter and other tripping hazards.
  • Install proper lighting– Dim lighting can cause an employee or customer to miss a fall risk. Installing bright lights throughout your business’s property can help you avoid this risk.
  • Clean up spills and fix leaks– If you have a leaky faucet or if there is a spill in a common area, then make sure you address these issues right away. This will ensure that employees and customers don’t slip and injure themselves.

Employment Practices Liability Issues

  • Train supervisors and managers– Everyone in a supervisory or management position should receive training on how to treat the employees working under them. This training should include appropriate modes of communication, how to handle employee complaints, and how to respectfully conduct themselves in a professional setting.
  • Plan for interviews– Before interviewing a potential candidate, you should check to make sure that your interview questions do not constitute discrimination or compromise the rights of protected classes.

These are some of the precautions that you should take to avoid some of the most common small business risks.  Remember, having the right commercial coverage is another way to keep your business safe.  For assistance with all your business insurance needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.

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Reasons Why Life Insurance is a Good Idea

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Reasons Why Life Insurance is a Good Idea

Ways that you can benefit from having life insurance.

While most adults accept that life insurance is a necessity, they often overlook the fact that securing this coverage can actually come with major benefits.  Not convinced?  Then consider these reasons why life insurance is such a good idea for you.

  • It Can Protect Your Loved Ones’ Financial Future

In a recent study, it was revealed that four in 10 households without life insurance coverage would experience immediate trouble paying for living expenses if the primary breadwinner were to pass away.  If you do not want your loved ones to suffer as part of this statistic, it’s important that you secure adequate life insurance coverage.  By securing a policy, you can continue supporting your loved ones and ensure that they can maintain a sense of financial stability in the wake of your death.

  • It Can Act as a Source of Emergency Funds

Permanent life insurance policies have a special cash value component.  As you continue to pay premiums on these policies, they accumulate a dollar value that you can borrow against.  The cash value component of your life insurance can be used as an easy way to secure quick money to cover things like a down payment on a home, college tuition, or emergency situations.  Unlike traditional loans, when you borrow against your life insurance policy, you are subject to lower interest rates and do not need to go through the lengthy loan application and credit check processes.

  • It Can Provide Retirement Income

If you have a permanent life insurance policy, then your coverage can actually help you once you enter retirement.  When structured properly, your life insurance policy can actually provide a supplemental form of income via policy loans and withdrawals.  Additionally, if you and your spouse rely on your pension for financial stability, then your life insurance benefits can replace your pension income if you were to pass away before your spouse.

These are some of the reasons why having life insurance is good for you.  Are you looking for help with your life insurance coverage?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  We are ready to assist you with all your life insurance coverage needs today.

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Home Security Upgrades That Can Unlock Insurance Discounts

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Home Security Upgrades That Can Unlock Insurance Discounts

Making these home updates can help you save on your insurance.

Just because you have homeowners insurance doesn’t mean that you need to pay an arm and a leg for it.  While there are many ways that homeowners can lower their insurance rates, one money-saving method is making home upgrades that increase your safety and security.  But which upgrades can help you lower your home insurance rates?  Here are some of your options.

  • Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler systems are great options for homeowners who want to protect against their fire risks.  These systems respond to fires inside the home and quickly release water or other flame retardants to contain the damage caused by heat, smoke, and flames.  Having a sprinkler system can save your home for total ruin, especially if your local fire station is slow to respond or is located far away.  Oftentimes, home insurance providers will issue discounts to homeowners who install these systems in their homes.

  • Deadbolts

Having deadbolts installed on all your home’s points of entry is a great way to slow down even the savviest of home invaders.  This is why many home insurers offer discounts to homeowners who install deadbolts.  However, the types of deadbolts that you choose does matter.  When selecting deadbolts for your home, look for options that are labeled Grade 1 or Grade 2.  Avoid Grade 3 deadbolts as they are the weakest.  When installing deadbolts, make sure they extend at least an inch into the door jam and have a reinforced strike plate with three-inch-long screws.  These factors will make it much harder for an intruder to kick in your doors and ransack your home.

  • Storm Shutters

Storm shutters are protective coverings installed over a home’s windows to protect them from high winds and flying debris during a storm.  If you live in a part of the country that suffers from extreme storms, hurricanes, or tornadoes, then you should install storm shutters over all of your exterior-facing windows.  Because these shutters will lower your home’s chance of sustaining damage during a storm event, your home insurer may offer you a home safety discount.

These are some of the home upgrades that can help you save on your homeowners’ insurance.  Do you have additional questions about your home coverage?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  We are ready to assist you with all your homeowners’ insurance needs today.

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