'Tis the season to deck the halls with boughs of holly. But be aware — all that holiday cooking and decorating has the potential to cause serious hazards in your home.

Knowing the risks — and how to help avoid injury, theft and damage to property through the holiday season — can help save you from expensive homeowners’ insurance claims.

Did you know…

• Overloaded extension cords or lighting equipment was responsible for starting almost half (40%) of home Christmas tree fires in 2011-2015;
• Poorly placed and unattended candles accounted for 1/3 of all home decoration fires and started 8% of home Christmas tree structure fires; and
• Heating equipment was involved in 15% of the Christmas tree fires*

Check out these three tips to keep your holiday merry and bright!

Practice safe holiday decorating and have a Happy New Year!

*According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Two facts about Halloween: 1) Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year according to Safe Kids Worldwide.  2) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is one of the top three days of the year for pedestrian injuries and fatalities. So, drivers and parents need to pay extra attention.

Related Links: Umbrella Liability

1. Phishing. Phishing attacks are the means by which most malware finds its way into any business. When someone within your organization clicks on a link or attachment in a phishing email the malicious code gets downloaded.

• Wombat Security has said that 76% of businesses have been a victim of a phishing attack within the last year.
• SANS Institute reported that 95% of all attacks on enterprise networks are the result of successful spear phishing.

2. Ransomware. This is malicious software (malware) that infects your machine and begins by quietly encrypting files. Once completed, it presents you with a "ransom note" stating something to the effect, 'if you want to see your files again, you’re going to have to pay.' If you decide to pay, you're only encouraging criminals, almost guaranteeing you will pay again in the future.

The best defense against ransomware is offense with a well-defined disaster recovery/backup and restore program. Best practices include backing up your assets regularly and testing the restoration process. If you can restore your organization from backup, why pay a ransom?

3. Insider threats. These come in two categories – unintentional and intentional.
Physical security of employee devices can help reduce losses. An asset management solution can help prevent lost or stolen devices, preventing attackers access to valuable information. Connection to insecure networks, especially unsecured wireless networks, has the potential to give anyone in the world access to your business! Secure connections and firewall software is another preventative measure that can help loss from unintentional insider threats.

What reasons would employees have to become an intentional threat? Many do it to steal property or information for personal gain or to benefit another organization. Over 80% of the reported cases of insider threat to date have been done during working hours, with the activity planned beforehand, and for financial gain.

Remember, half the battle against cyber security risks in knowledge and taking proactive measures.

Related links: Commercial Insurance

If your dog is like Connecticut Insurance Exchange's Special Agent Norma, they'll eat just about anything. Honestly, sometimes we think she is really a goat in disguise!
Here's a helpful chart we found that shows what is OK (and NOT OK) to give your dog...

If your pet eats anything they shouldn't, then keep a close eye on them and seek professional help.

Related links: Affordable pet insurance

What's a Fourth of July celebration without fireworks?

Who didn't handle sparklers as a kid? I know I did. But did you know hand-held sparklers burn at temperatures of around 2,000 degrees F? That's hot enough to cause third-degree burns and melt some metals!

Let's let these facts* tell the story...

• In 2017, 14% of the injuries reported were from sparklers, which are number-one cause of fireworks injuries
• Each year, firework injuries are in the thousands
• On average, 1,300 structure fires are caused by fireworks, including 300 vehicle fires
• In 2017, there were eight firework-related deaths to people ranging in age from four to 57
• Approximately 12,900 fireworks-related injuries were reported at hospital emergency departments in 2017, mostly occurring two weeks prior and after the July Fourth holiday

Misuse and malfunction were the primary causes for injury including:

• Setting off fireworks improperly and by hand
• Throwing lit fireworks at someone
• Dismantling and manufacturing fireworks
• Lighting fireworks too close to someone
• Trying to re-ignite dud fireworks
• Placing fireworks too close to a heat source
• Tip-over incidents
• Debris
• Errant flight paths
• Exploding fireworks while still in the tube
• Sparks exiting from the rear of the device

If you're going to handle fireworks, use them responsibly, safely and follow the law. Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!

Related links:
Fireworks safety tips
Homeowners Insurance

*Source: U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC)

Many people who fly to a vacation destination reserve a rental car online. At the airport car rental pick-up counter, the agent offers insurance to cover the vehicle during the rental. They will say the renter of a car is fully responsible for any loss (theft) of the vehicle as well as any damage that occurs to the vehicle during your rental period. They will also tell you it's likely loss-of-use costs are NOT included in your personal auto policy.
 
And they may be correct.
 
Car rental companies are now asking for reimbursement of the lost revenue (loss of use) that vehicle would have generated had it not been in a repair shop.
 
So, what options do you have?

What you need to know before you sign that rental car agreement…

First things first.

• Before your trip, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance agent to review your personal auto insurance policy.
• Most insurance companies consider a rental car a “replacement vehicle,” so the same coverage an insured has for their own vehicle would apply to the rental.

EXAMPLE: If the insured DOES NOT have Collision, Other Than Collision (Comprehensive) coverage on their own vehicle, then they DO NOT have it on the rental vehicle. That means the insured would be responsible to pay for any damage to that rental vehicle.

• Bodily injury or damage caused to others’ vehicles would be covered under the insured's personal auto liability coverage, up to the limits of the policy. But the deductible would apply.

Credit Cards and Car Rental Protection.
Many — but not all — credit card issuers cover damage to rental cars when their credit card is used to rent the car. Some even include protection for loss-of-use claims.

This is great, right?

Well, there is a down side — credit card issuers rarely provide liability coverage and dealing with a credit card company for a claim can be a difficult and long process.

• Check with the credit card company for a complete description of the coverage they offer and if there are any restrictions or exclusions.
  
• Be aware that some credit issuers refuse coverage if you rent a vehicle in certain countries outside the United States.
  
• If you opt for this protection, make sure to have the credit card used to book the rental with you (in your purse or wallet) in the event of a claim.
  

Educate yourself.
 
Understanding your insurance options before planning a trip is the best way to protect yourself from any unpleasant surprises if you happen to be involved in an accident with a vehicle you rent. 
 
Contact a Connecticut Insurance Exchange agent today at 860 666-5443 or info@cieltd.us. Our agents will be happy to review your policy and discuss cost-effective coverage options.

Related links: Auto Insurance

Now that summer is "officially" here, one thing is certain — even the simplest activities can go wrong.

Using sports equipment like tennis racquets, baseballs, baseball bats, flying saucers, lawn darts, or horseshoes has the potential to harm others. So does the use of skateboards, bikes, mopeds, go-karts, and radio-controlled cars, drones, helicopters and planes.  What can possibly happen when you have friends over to use your driveway, play equipment or swimming pool?

Potential liability comes from either you having fun at the expense of others or their property, or failing to take precautions for those you've invited to your residence (or other places).

Preserve Your Summer Fun
The easiest way to prepare for summer-activity liability is to ask yourself these questions:

• What can I do to keep others safe from my activities?
• Am I prepared to be responsible for people I hurt or property I damage?
• How do I make my home and yard safe for fun-seeking visitors?
• Am I keeping my guests to various events safe?

While accidents happen, many can be prevented by making sure that you and your children enjoy your activities responsibly. Operating bikes safely and in low traffic areas reduces the chance that others will be hurt. The proper use of games and equipment also make the likelihood of having someone injured more remote. In other words, it's important that your family uses sports and game equipment safely and appropriately.

Adult supervision is critical for potentially dangerous activities such as the use of motorized recreational equipment, trampolines, and swimming pools (including small wading pools). It's also important to make certain that guests you invite for camping or hiking trips are watched after carefully. In many instances, you are responsible for the safety of your guests when you invite them to enjoy outdoor activities, particularly boating or other activities involving water-related equipment.

How Does Liability Insurance Play a Role?
When accidents happen, they may be followed by medical expenses and, more seriously, lawsuits. Wouldn't you want to be  protected against such financial consequences?

Don't assume you have coverage — especially when an activity involves motorized or powered equipment. You may have to add coverage to your homeowner's policy or even buy special coverage for mini-bikes, mopeds, boats, all-terrain vehicles, etc.

Make safety part of getting ready for summer fun. Contact your insurance professional to make sure you have the right coverage to support a fun summer!

Related links: Umbrella Liability

If you're like us, you love your pet and would do all you can if they became ill or injured. Unfortunately, unexpected vet bills can really break your budget.

Did you know…
Every six seconds a pet parent is faced with a vet bill over $3,000.* In fact, something as simple as an upset stomach costs an average of $500 to treat! You can’t predict your pet’s health, but pet insurance can help you plan for it!
​
Pet insurance takes the worry out of paying for the care your pets need. That's why Connecticut Insurance Exchange is proud to offer affordable pet insurance.

Our Flexible Pet Insurance Options Allow You to Get the Protection That's Right for You and Your Best Friend

• YOU pick the plan that right for YOU
• Covers vet expenses from $500 to $5,000,000
• Deductibles from $100 to $2,500
• Reimbursement options of 70%, 80% or 90%

Contact your Connecticut Insurance Exchange agent about our affordable pet insurance today and ask about a 10% discount! 860 666-5443 or info@cieltd.us

*Source: 2014 PetPlan claims data.

Pet Safety Tips
Driving with Fluffy on your lap may look cute but is incredibly dangerous to you, your pet, and potentially other drivers on the road. If your pet will not lay down safely in the backseat, invest in a harness, crate or other means to keep everyone safe!

As the weather heats up, remember don't leave your pets unattended in a car! When the outside temperature is 70 degrees, a car can heat up to 89 degrees in just 10 minutes, and to 104 in 30 minutes leading to heat stroke, or worse!

Meet the Connecticut Insurance Exchange Pet Family!

In 2017, there were 16 separate disasters in the U.S., which generated total record losses in excess of $306 billion (1). Most damage was the result of flooding, including historic floods associated with Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana, and record high water levels in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois.

Here are facts you should not ignore:

• Flooding can happen practically anywhere at any time
• 25% of all flood damage occurs in low- to moderate-risk areas
• Floods occur in all 50 states
• Flooding is the costliest and most common natural disaster in the U.S. (2)
• Most Americans are seriously under insured

In the Northeast, floods can occur from spring snow melt, rapid rainfall, changing weather patterns and clogged rainwater systems. In general, they can also occur from tropical cyclones, structural failure leading to flash floods, or new building development.

It doesn't take much water to destroy a property and wipe out the finances of an uninsured homeowner or business. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) estimates that 1 inch of water in a home can create $20,000 worth of damage (3). And yet, few property owners have flood insurance (besides those in high-risk areas who are required by their lenders to purchase NFIP policies).

Think about this:

• Only 12% of U.S. homeowners had a flood insurance policy according to an Insurance Information Institute poll in 2016 (4)
  
• Less than 20% of homes damaged in Hurricane Harvey were insured for flood.
• 56% of respondents mistakenly believed that a standard homeowners policy covers flood damage according to a March 2017 survey.
• Most business insurance policies exclude flood damage.
• Flood maps are drawn by FEMA. Some research suggests that current flood maps seriously underestimate those in the high-risk 1-in-100-year floodplain, and one study suggests 40 million Americans, instead of the current estimate of 13 million, are at high-risk.

When considered together, these statistics paint a grim picture for Americans who don’t currently have flood insurance.

What about you?

A licensed insurance agent can help you understand the different insurance products available. Even with government-backed NFIP policies, some people may need excess coverage to cover up to replacement cost, and still others may benefit from various coverage options available with private insurance products instead of an NFIP plan, when available.

Ask a licensed Connecticut Insurance Exchange agent about flood insurance today.

Source: (1) According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2) FBLIC (3) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) (4) Insurance Information Institute Poll