How to Protect your Business from Cyber Threats: A Short Guide

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Data breaches, hacking, and other cybersecurity threats seem to be becoming more and more prevalent as technology becomes more ingrained in businesses large and small. As a business owner or someone with primary responsibility for business operations, it can be a difficult threat to manage, especially as most cyber attackers are anonymous. Business executives may believe that the security breaches won’t affect them, however, more frequently, small to medium-sized businesses have become targets as a result of their relatively low levels of security and inability to fight back against their attackers. According to Forbes, “If a business suffers two or more attacks, it will most likely be unable to recover. Moreover, the business is also at risk of facing a class action lawsuit from the individuals who suffered from a loss of data because of the cyber attack.” For a business of any size, an attack can be devastating.

Realizing this threat, we’re proud to offer cyber liability insurance that provides legal and financial support to businesses in case of a breach. In some cases, your professional liability insurance may already include cyber liability insurance or can be modified to include it.

At Conrey Insurance Brokers, we strive to keep you informed on the best ways to protect what you love, which is why we’ve created an informative guide to help you determine whether or not cyber liability insurance is right for you. We encourage you to educate yourself with our guide, which can be downloaded here. Then, set up an appointment so that we can evaluate your coverage; we’ll be happy to help find a plan to protect your business.

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

Be Heat Wise with this Heat Illness Prevention Guide

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforces standards for the health and safety of workers through regulations and education. This Heat and Illness Program explains types of heat illness, symptoms and prevention. Also, included are a list of responsibilities for employers and employees to prevent heat-related injuries. Download the free California Code of Regulations here.

At Conrey Insurance Brokers and Risk Managers, we aim to keep you informed about topics that are important to you. Want more interesting articles? Keep checking our blog for updates. Have any questions, or want to review your insurance? Just speak to a member of the Conrey Insurance Brokers team at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here.

Celebrating 30 Years as a Licensed Insurance Agent

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See Jerry Conrey like you’ve never seen him before!

College 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Insurance for Students

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Preparing for college can be hectic. With so much to do before the first day of school, changes in insurance may be at the back of your mind. Moving out for the first time can present unique considerations, especially depending on your student’s image of a perfect college lifestyle. Here are a few major considerations you shouldn’t overlook.

Health Insurance

While in many cases, a student will be covered under the parent’s policy until they are 26, there is a chance that the number of providers may be limited if a student chooses an out of state school. It’s worth checking to make sure that your student will have sufficient coverage under their current policy.

Renters Insurance

Some college students will choose alternative housing options instead of a dorm. If a student will be living off-campus, it is important to understand what would happen in case of break-in or damages. In some cases, off-campus living arrangements may be connected to the school and offer some coverage, but in others, renters insurance can help cover damages that occur to the apartment itself and the property it holds (much like homeowner’s insurance would).

Auto Insurance

Whether your student decides to take their car with them to college or not, there are a few actions you’ll want to take to ensure proper coverage. If they will not be taking their car with them, you will want to meet with an advisor to discuss the possibility of an “away at school” discount. Since the car will be used less or by a more experienced driver, liability goes down. If a student will be taking their car, the policy may need to be repriced based on the school’s location. This can also reduce your cost while ensuring your student will receive suitable coverage in their new area.

Life Insurance

College is expensive, so if you’re helping to pay your student’s tuition it helps to have the assurance that even if something happened to you, you would still be able to help cover the cost of college. If you haven’t already looked into life insurance policies, the ability to help pay tuition is a strong incentive.

Here at Conrey Insurance Brokers, we know how hard it is to see them go. That’s why we want to help guide you through the many ways you can protect them even from afar – that’s the Conrey Difference. If you’re seeing off your student this semester, we invite you to make an appointment to ensure you, and your student, are properly protected.

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

Health Insurance and Sports: How to Make it a Home-Run!

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Sports injuries are relatively common, and while they are generally covered by your regular health insurance plan, it may be worth checking to see if your coverage is sufficient. Whether trying out for the varsity team or just starting Little League, it can be easy to forget about insurance in the hustle and bustle of a busy season.

Many schools or club teams provide optional insurance that can be paid for alongside any fees, however, the overage they provide varies by team, district, and level. Be sure to find out what types of injuries are covered (and to what extent). Often times, policies do not cover cosmetic extras including dental or plastic surgery. If a tooth is chipped or knocked out or a broken nose needs to be repaired, general insurance may not cover it. It is worth comparing the price and coverage of a team plan to a private plan, which can be made to suit your child’s specific needs or piggyback off of general coverage in order to fill in the gaps and ensure you’re covered in every situation.

There are also a few special cases that can affect your general insurance. For some high-risk sports such as BMX, Football or MMA we may recommend different coverage than for non-contact sports- or that you add a little extra coverage to your general policy. Your coverage may also be affected by whether or not the team travels- if the games are local your child will likely be covered, but if your child plays out of state (or internationally) they may need slightly different coverage.

No matter what happens on the field, we’re here to cheer on your family- that’s the Conrey Difference. We’ll be happy to help evaluate your coverage, whether your child is trying something new or continuing in their athletic pursuits. It’s as simple as contacting a member of our winning team- within minutes you’ll be ready to get back to the action.

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

Is your Swimming Pool Putting you at Risk?

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During hot summer days, nothing is more refreshing than taking a dip in the pool. Many people believe that swimming pools are safe, so long as everyone is behaving well and there are other people around. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case, and last year swimming pool drownings led to the deaths of 163 people during the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day alone (U.S. CPSC). For this reason, it is important to be informed about how to prevent drownings and keep safe at the pool.

  • Restrict Access to the Pool

Young children are the most at risk group in pool drownings. It can be easy for children to slip away from sight and on a hot summer day, the pool can seem alluring. Putting up a safety fence to prevent young children from accessing the pool on their own can help prevent drownings.

  • Know the Signs of Drowning

All too often, people believe drowning is apparent; in movies and TV, it is often depicted as flailing and yelling for help. In reality, drowning tends to be silent and can often be quick. Among the most common signs of drowning are gasping, sudden quietness, and trying to swim but getting nowhere. To read a full list of signs from Medical News Today, click here.

  • Learn How to Swim

Whether learning how to swim yourself or making sure any little ones know how to, knowing how to swim can save lives and reduce the risk of drowning. To find a class near you, visit the Red Cross’ class finder page.

  • Be Careful Around Alcohol

While drowning in swimming pools is much more common in children than adults, Pool Safely reports that 51 adults drowned in pools in 2016. One of the most common factors in these deaths was the involvement of alcohol. Watch intoxicated adults similarly to toddlers, and be on the lookout for signs that they are in distress.

  • Don’t Assume Someone Else is Watching

All too often, when someone drowns others around them will claim that they thought someone else was watching. Make sure that when around pools, someone is acting as a lifeguard and pay careful attention to swimmers that are at the highest risk. Never leave young or incapacitated swimmers alone in the pool and be extra alert if it becomes suddenly quiet.

Here at Conrey Insurance Brokers, we know the importance of keeping loved ones safe and we want to help. For more pool safety tips, visit The American Red Cross. For those homeowners who have a pool or are considering one, contact one of our agents in order to learn more about your liability and make sure that you’re properly protected so you can play the day away without worry.

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

Group Benefits: What you Need to Know about CA Health Insurance Mandates

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State health insurance mandates are laws regulating the terms of coverage for insured health plans. This Employment Law Summary contains a chart outlining California’s benefit, provider and person mandates for group health insurance plans. Download your free guide here.

At Conrey Insurance Brokers, our goal is to make sure your business – and your employees – are properly protected. World-class service is our promise – that’s the Conrey Difference. Read more about our Employee Benefits offerings here.

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

Moving This Summer? Read this Before You Start Packing!

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Moving can be an exciting time. With so much happening, it can be tempting to simply toss your stuff in a U-Haul or skip the fine print when hiring movers. But are your household contents properly protected? The answer is probably no. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a quick checklist to make the process of checking your contract quick and painless.

Check 1: Valuation or Insurance- Choose Wisely!

In most cases, moving companies will be liable for damaged or lost items, however, many moving companies limit their liability to a certain price per weight. This means that if the moving company loses or breaks a 10-pound box of expensive electronics, you may only be entitled to a fraction of the replacement cost! For this reason, it is suggested that you try and find movers with full valuation coverage. Although usually a bit more expensive, full valuation coverage provides the full value needed to replace any lost or damaged items- but is often limited to a hundred dollars a pound and does not account for natural disasters.

Unlike the above two types of valuation, insurance policies can cover your belongings while moving no matter what the situation. Whether you’re moving yourself or hiring movers, insurance can cover your items for their full value, often times for less than a full valuation through a moving company or as an add-on to an existing policy.

Check 2: Preparing for the Move

Whether you choose valuation or insurance, it is important to document expensive items while packing for the move. Items such as jewelry, electronics, or other high-value items need to be noted in order to be thoroughly covered. If you are hiring movers, be aware your items may be required to be packed by the movers to assume responsibility for their condition. Finally, be aware of dangerous or perishable items which could limit the responsibility of the moving company.

Check 3: Unpack and Assess

Try to unpack your boxes in a timely manner. If you notice missing items or damage, you will usually only have nine months to report it, however the sooner it is reported, the better. Checking the most valuable items first is recommended, as you’ll want to be able to document damage or loss right away.

For more information on mover liability in your state and for tips on how to protect your treasures, visit The United States Department of Transportation. After that, our team at Conrey Insurance Brokers will be happy to help, no matter what stage you’re at in the moving process. We’ll review your options and find the best coverage for you at a stellar price so you can protect what matters.

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

Remodeling Your Home? Don’t Overlook This One Critical Detail.

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Summer is a popular time for remodeling! In all the excitement of improving your home, don’t forget to make sure you are properly protected while doing so. Here are some things to check before you wreck.

  1. Make sure your contractor has workers compensation, general liability, and builder’s risk coverage; this protects workers, property, and the materials involved in your remodel. Be sure to ask to see a Certificate of Insurance before finalizing the contract!
  2. DI-Why?- If you are DIY-ing your remodel, you will not have the same level of protection that a professional contractor will have. It is crucial that you review your homeowner’s insurance and umbrella policies with your agent in order to evaluate what will be covered.
  3. Plan Ahead- you may need to update your homeowner’s policy regardless of whether you are using a contractor or going the DIY route. A remodel tends to add value to your home, so you’ll want your policy to properly reflect this, ensuring that your hard work is appreciated.

If you’re getting ready to remodel (or even in the middle of one), we encourage you to contact us and let one of our team members help you build the defense for the new additions to your castle. We’ll help set you up with the proper coverage and avoid any potential pitfalls that may result from this exciting but challenging event.

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

The Conrey Difference and Auto Insurance: Better Coverage, Better Value – No Gimmicks

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Why Has My Auto Insurance Gotten So Expensive?

Lately, you may have noticed that your auto insurance premiums have gone up. There are many reasons for these rising premiums. Here are three of the most common reasons for rising auto insurance rates:

  1. More Drivers Mean More Accidents

As more and more Americans begin to drive, more accidents will need to be paid for by insurers.

  1. Uninsured Motorists

According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately 13% of drivers are uninsured and uninsured claim payments have increased by a whopping 75%. The takeaway? An average of a $14 premium increase for insured individuals.

  1. Higher Costs Across the Board

As healthcare costs, repair costs, and replacement parts rise in price, insurance does too. CarMD suggests that more expensive technology in newer vehicles is a major factor in rising repair costs.

Fed Up? So Are We.

The bad news is that many of the reasons for rising auto insurance aren’t your fault- because of this, it may seem as though you have no control over your policy. Our team at Conrey Insurance Brokers wants to change that! Unlike a charming gecko, a man named “Mayhem”, or a girl who names her car Brad (really?), we’re not about gimmicks. We think that insurance should be handled, well, differently, which is why we deliver the Conrey Difference. In the face of rising insurance costs, we’d like to save you more, give you more coverage for your dollar, and do more to make sure your favorite toys- and their drivers- are thoroughly protected. Check out the Auto Insurance section of our website for more information.

Give Conrey Insurance Brokers a Try!

While many budget companies cut corners to provide their savings, Conrey’s team works to find the whole package at an affordable price. We have access to all the same providers and can work to custom build your policy to fit you and your budget. If you’re getting fed up with your rising car insurance premiums, want to get a re-evaluation on your current insurance, or simply want to get a glimpse of the difference between us and our competitors,

Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.