Recent Posts

The Super Bowl is right around the corner (February 9, 2025). Many of us will host a party for friends and family, stocked with food and drinks. Throwing a party in your house that includes alcohol means that you need to be aware of your potential liability exposure....

Minimize the chances of a Christmas tree fire in your home by following these 10 tips. Select the safest tree possible. When you purchase a live tree, choose a fresh tree with springy green needles that stay put when you touch or shake the tree. Look at the cut end of...

Even if you think you'll be in and out quickly, leaving children or pets unattended in a vehicle can lead to injuries and much worse. This applies to the elderly and infirm as well. Learn about heatstroke and other risks you may not have considered. Leaving children...

Thieves are constantly devising new and sophisticated means of stealing cars. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), law enforcement received 932,329 stolen vehicle reports in 2021. This represents a 6% increase over 2020, says the NICB, and a 17%...

Life doesn’t stop after you obtain insurance coverage. Maybe you added that much-needed extra bathroom to your home or inherited your grandparents’ precious antiques. Perhaps your teenager is going to college or you’re starting a new business. You’ll need to adjust...

A vehicle break-in can happen when you least expect it, even in your own neighborhood. Approaching your car and seeing shattered glass from a broken window is unsettling and scary. You’re left dealing with vehicle damage and the emotional toll of having your personal...

Nothing beats the freedom of an open road and a full tank of gas – until the check engine light comes on or your tire deflates. Routine car maintenance is vital to maintaining a healthy, reliable vehicle and it can reduce the need for, and cost of, repairs down the...

Have you ever noticed insurance rates fluctuate over time, even if you haven’t made changes to your policy? This is normal and occurs for many reasons, like labor costs, economic changes, and shifting weather patterns. With everyone feeling the pinch these days, many...

Even though it doesn’t make the road slick, fog can lead to dangerous driving conditions. And if you add severe weather or darkness to the mix, fog can be extremely hazardous. Whether the fog rolls in as you leave for work in the morning or settles in after a...

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, over 930,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2021. With reports continuing to rise across the United States, many people are left wondering what they can do to prevent car break ins. From simple safety tips to devices...

In this issue: We are sharing an important reminder about premium payment timing and why keeping your account current can help support a smoother renewal process. Why This Matters Insurance carriers review several factors when determining renewal pricing, terms, and...

This article explains how 100 year floods actually work. FC&S Editors | June 29, 2023 The Truth about 100-Year Floods Whenever a strong hurricane or storm causes significant flooding, there is often talk of a 100-year flood. When people hear this term they think a...

While theft is covered under your homeowners insurance, the mysterious disappearance of a valuable item might not be. Personal lines property policies, such as renters, condo and homeowners insurance, include some level of coverage for personal belongings in cases of...

Facts About Hurricanes According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): The Atlantic hurricane season peaks in late summer, but it lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30. The right side of a hurricane is often the most destructive.  Winds can extend as...

Westerly recently conducted a tax assessment reevaluation. We are often asked by our clients about the correlation between “assessed value and replacement cost”. The difference between these primarily revolve around their purpose and how they're determined. Below is a...

Smart devices, from voice-activated assistants to smart bulbs and thermostats, are becoming more and more prevalent in American homes. While these devices offer convenience and more control over your home, they can leave you at risk for privacy and security issues....

Rising temperatures. Severe flooding. More intense hurricanes. Bitterly cold winters. Droughts and destructive wildfires. These kinds of incidents seem to be happening more frequently.  Even most former climate change skeptics now acknowledge the world is becoming...

Inflation and rising prices are causing delays on maintenance tasks, possibly affecting home insurance coverage. While many Americans are now up to date on their routine home maintenance work, many delayed making repairs and even necessary renovations in the last year...

A home renovation can add value to your property and make it more livable. But before you hire a contractor, make sure you have the right insurance coverage in place. You may need to increase your homeowners insurance or purchase a builders risk policy.  Whether...

Ice dams, the thick accumulations of ice that form at the edges of roofs, are a notable winter concern for both commercial and residential properties. As insurance agents, gaining a comprehensive understanding of ice dams is key in offering well-informed advice and...

Facts About Hurricanes According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): The Atlantic hurricane season peaks in late summer, but it lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30. The right side of a hurricane is often the most destructive.  Winds can extend as...

Have you ever noticed insurance rates fluctuate over time, even if you haven’t made changes to your policy? This is normal and occurs for many reasons, like labor costs, economic changes, and shifting weather patterns. With everyone feeling the pinch these days, many...

At Thorp & Trainer Insurance, we are committed to helping you safeguard your home or business from loss. Flooding is a great concern in our area and we want to keep you informed on the latest information regarding flood insurance. Please click here to view the...

During a storm, it may seem like there’s little we can do to prevent Mother Nature’s fury, but beforehand, there is a lot that can be done to stave off potentially disastrous water damage to your house, business, and other properties.  Water damage from rain can wreak...

Winter weather can wreak havoc on pipes and water-based fire protection systems, leading to leaks, burst pipes, flooding and more – all of which can damage vital equipment, mechanical systems and other property, and lead to mold. What’s more, as winter turns...

Hurricane and Named Storm Deductibles Issue: Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and subsequent hurricanes have caused insurers to take steps to mitigate future losses in hurricane-prone areas. Hurricanes and tropical storms caused $159.1 billion in insured losses between 1994...

Understanding the importance of flood insurance … In this community, we know all too well the devastation that flooding can cause. On a national scale, the historic flooding in Houston and Florida has led to numerous fatalities and has caused millions of dollars in...

Smart devices, from voice-activated assistants to smart bulbs and thermostats, are becoming more and more prevalent in American homes. While these devices offer convenience and more control over your home, they can leave you at risk for privacy and security issues....

In 2023, cybercrime is expected to cost the world $8 trillion, according to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures. Yes, you read that right.  Cybercrime is a fact of life in our digital world. But there’s still a lot you can do to protect yourself. And it doesn’t have to...

Have you ever noticed insurance rates fluctuate over time, even if you haven’t made changes to your policy? This is normal and occurs for many reasons, like labor costs, economic changes, and shifting weather patterns. With everyone feeling the pinch these days, many...

The internet has made our lives easier, but it comes with its share of risks. In just one week, you could receive a threatening automated phone call, 200 junk emails, five worrisome text messages and three fake Facebook invites, all trying to bait you into giving up...

The COVID-19 pandemic has solidified remote work as a new operational standard. Employers should expect this trend to only grow in the future. In fact, many major companies, such as Twitter and Microsoft, have indicated that remote work will be an indefinite option...

We live in a digital world that has its many benefits like connecting us to our family and friends and giving us tools to make our lives more convenient. Unfortunately, it also opens the door for cybercrimes that can wreak havoc on our personal and professional lives...

When cyberattacks like data breaches and hacks occur, they can result in devastating damage. Businesses have to deal with business disruptions, lost revenue and litigation. It is important to remember that no organization is immune to the impact of cyber crime. As a...

We are more connected than ever. Cell phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, television and family gaming systems, etc., connect us in ways we never imagined. Criminals know the information accessed by your family is valuable. They can steal passwords, data, money,...

Author: 

Daniel Kaniewski, PhD

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month; a month to ensure all Americans are safer and more secure online. At FEMA, we a…