California Minimum Wage Increase

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With a new year come new laws or updates to current ones. One of these updated laws is a minimum wage increase in the state of California. The increase impacts both large and small businesses. The uptick in wages is part of the SB 3 legislation signed in 2016. With one of the highest populations in the country and most expensive housing markets, the bill was signed to help one of the largest communities of working poor in the United States to achieve a living wage. Own or manage a business? Are you thinking about starting a business? Read all about the California minimum wage laws here.

Want more interesting content? Check out our blog page. Have any questions? Want to check up on your business insurance?  We’re here to help no matter what your needs- to speak with a member of the Conrey Team, call (877)-450-1872 or contact us and experience the Conrey Difference for yourself.

 

Planning for Healthcare in Retirement

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Rising healthcare costs, as well as the burden they may place on your children when you’re retired, are a growing concern. Fortunately, you have options. Exploring them begins by developing a realistic view of your likely future needs.

What are the odds?

While the odds of winning a multimillion-dollar lottery jackpot are millions to one, the odds of incurring expenses for your physical or mental care in retirement are 7 out of 10. As a couple, the likelihood rises to 9 out of 10 that at least one of you will incur these expenses. Financially speaking, these odds aren’t in your favor. But with proper planning, you can manage the risks and help improve your chances of a better outcome.

How much should I budget?

How much will you need to budget for your care in retirement? Take a look at this helpful resource link to learn about the cost of care in different parts of the country. It tells you county by county in each state how much it will cost for different types of care and facilities. It also has a slider that lets you calculate projected financial costs up to 30years in the future.

How could a need for care impact my family?

When a family member needs long-term care, the emotional and tangible costs are different for everyone. Click here to learn about the experiences of someone who has experienced these costs first-hand. This video shares a real-life example of a small-business owner and how the need for long-term care has impacted her business and her overall lifestyle.

Who can explain my options?

We know that planning for future healthcare needs can be bewildering. We’re here to help. At Conrey Insurance Brokers, our risk managers have access to a wide variety of resources. We’ll learn what’s important to you and tailor a plan around your personal needs and priorities. By identifying, assessing, and helping relieve you of most of the risks involved, we can help you provide your family with peace of mind for the future. The earlier you get started, the better. Acting today has many benefits, so it doesn’t pay to wait.

We’ve been helping people address the risks of long-term healthcare needs for many years. Let us help make a difference in your life so that you make a difference for your entire family. Check out our Long-Term Care section here, call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience The Conrey Difference for yourself!

Michael A. Mazza is the Financial Services Representative at Conrey Insurance Brokers and Risk Managers. Michael makes a difference by helping people with their retirement goals and protects what matters most to them. You can learn more about Michael here.

Let’s Commemorate National America Recycles Day by Improving Our Recycle Habits

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November 15th is National America Recycles Day in association with Keep America Beautiful. The goal of this day is to learn what materials are recyclable in your community, reduce waste, buy products made from recycled materials and share with friends and family the positive effects of recycling. You can take the pledge here.

Currently, the national recycling rate is only 34%. Americans throw away over 200 million tons of trash each year. It is estimated that 75% of the trash that Americans throw away is actually recyclable. Did you know that a glass bottle can go from curb to store shelf in about a month, yet we toss enough glass bottles in the trash every year to fill up a line of semi-trucks from Los Angeles to New York City, and back, every year?1  According to Statista, America produced 262.4 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2015. Of that 67.8 million tons were recycled. Unfortunately, this means about 195 million pounds of waste was still destined for landfills.2 ­

Many items are thought to be recyclable but are actually not. Here are a few:

Disposable coffee cups: These cups are lined with a liquid-proof polyethylene which is difficult and expensive to separate from the recyclable cup.

Pizza box: These may or may not be recyclable depending on the oil and grease content. If there is a minor amount it should be okay, however, if the cardboard is completely saturated it is no good. The oil and grease go into the cardboard and belongs in the trash. But, check the top of the pizza box. Clean lids can be placed in the recycle bin!

Plastics with oil or vinegar: Many plastics are stamped with a recycle imprint on them, but if they are filled with oil or vinegar they are no longer good to go in the recycle bin. This is usually the case for pre-packaged salads or other meals. If, however, you are able to rinse out the food residue it can be saved!

There are several unique items that are created using recycled goods. These include:

Asphalt: Some asphalt companies are grinding up discarded roofing shingles. Also, glass bottles can be used as the reflective markers lining roads.

Plastic bottles: These bottles can be used to make a wide array of new products including t-shirts, jackets, sleeping bags, playground equipment, park benches, lawn furniture and many other items.

Paper Products: Things like newspaper and copy paper can become cat litter, building insulation, sheetrock, toilet paper, and facial tissues.

Electronic recycling is even more critical. Electronic waste represents about 2% of America’s trash in landfills, yet is responsible for about 70% of toxic waste according to Dosomething.org.3 According to the EPA, electronic waste is the fastest growing municipal waste stream in the United States.3 Properly disposing of e-waste helps prevent lead and other toxic compounds contaminating our landfills and groundwater.  Most electronics encompass many different precious metals. Americans alone toss out over $60 million worth of gold and silver in electronics every year.3 Many local businesses sponsor free electronic waste drop-off events.

If we all pitch in a little we can make a huge impact.

At Conrey Insurance Brokers and Risk Managers, we strive to help make the world a better place by informing you of topics that are important to us all. That’s the Conrey difference. If you have questions about coverage, we’re always here to help. Call us at 1-877-450-1872 or contact us here, and experience The Conrey Difference for yourself!

 

  1. https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-recycling
  2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/193923/recycling-of-us-municipal-solid-waste-since-1960/
  3. https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-e-waste

Protecting Holiday Packages From Theft: An Easy Guide

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As online holiday shopping continues to increase in popularity, it should be no surprise that package thefts are on the rise. For thieves, stealing a package often involves less risk than shoplifting and the packages themselves often contain a number of valuable items that are prime for resale. As the holidays approach, the number of these packages grows exponentially leaving thieves salivating at the easy and numerous pickings. If you are planning on ordering off of websites such as Amazon, there are several steps you can take to minimize damages and avoid the heartbreak and stress of losing a package to theft.

Utilize Special Delivery Instructions

Many online retailers will have a place to add special delivery instructions. In this area, consider putting clear instructions detailing a safe, hidden place to leave packages. This can be somewhere off to the side of the house, in some densely clustered bushes, or over a fence of some sort. Very few thieves will go looking for packages, especially when neighbors may have theirs readily visible and easy to take.

Require a Signature

Consider marking the package as requiring a signature so that the delivery is given to a trusted person. If you are close with your neighbors, you may consider asking them to sign for you and hold the package if you are not home.

Choose a Delivery Date/Place Strategically

In the age of two-day shipping, it may seem as though sooner is better. However, there are often different shipping options that can be chosen at checkout. Consider choosing a day that you or another family member will be home or have them delivered to your place of work. Alternatively, you can ask for packages to be held at your local post office or delivered to the house of a trusted family member or friend until it is convenient for you to retrieve them. Choosing these options will keep packages from being out in the open for any period of time.

Security Devices: For Packages and More

Lately, home security has become easier than ever with many affordable camera services. These security measures can record video evidence or deter thieves from taking a package, even if it does end up placed on your porch. Options like the Ring doorbell system will alert you of people approaching your door via your phone and even allow you to talk to visitors.

Insurance from the Carrier

Finally, you may want to check and see what insurance is available from the carrier. Many carriers insure items that cost $100 or less. For more expensive packages, you may be able to buy more insurance from the carrier. Be sure to check and see what packages and to what extent they are covered.

If Package Theft Occurs

You can file a credit card dispute with the sender (if it is a big company like Amazon) and they will take care of the issue from their end since they are the ones utilizing the mail service. If the package was sent by a relative, you will need to make a claim of theft.

From all of us here at Conrey Insurance Brokers, we want you to have happy and safe holidays; that’s why we encourage everyone to take proper precautions during this season. We hope that you’ll keep these tips in mind when ordering presents online. Additionally, now is a good time to brush up on homeowner’s insurance or consider an umbrella policy. These policies may compensate in cases of theft allowing you to be reimbursed for the content of your packages. For more information, schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to review your policy; whether it’s with us or another insurance brokerage.

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

Congratulations to Our Players of the Month and Quarter

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“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

 

At Conrey Insurance Brokers, it’s all about our people. It’s been widely said that “the people” are the backbone of any organization. To that end, we believe we have the BEST backbone in the industry – so we make it a point to recognize team member excellence on a monthly and quarterly basis.

 

The Conrey Insurance Brokers “Players of the Month” for June, July and August, AND the Player of the 2nd Quarter 2018 are: (Drum roll)

 

Gabriela Villa Gutierrez

Player of the Month – June  

Gabriela was chosen as Player of the Month for her great positive attitude, her ability to learn new skills and immediately put them to use – and for her great demeanor as a professional and all-around team player. Gaby is a great account manager that knows no boundaries of what she can achieve.

 

Linda Worthington

Player of the Quarter – 2nd Quarter 2018

Player of the Month – July

It’s not surprising that Linda is “Double Player”, because each and every day she brings a fresh and “can do” attitude to every responsibility or task assigned – and she does it all with aplomb, expediency and accuracy. I have nothing but praise for Linda and her contributions to our on-going success.

 

Marsha Multz

Player of the Month – August

Marsha is our August Player of the Month because of the significant impact her sales success has brought to the agency – combined with her efforts with Alex to land some great new accounts. Marsha brings decades of experience to the table, along with a renewed commitment to “The Conrey Difference” – which based on her recent performance is proving to be a great combination.

 

Thank you Gabriela, Linda and Marsha for all you have done and achieved – and keep up the great work.

 

“Innovation distinguishes from a leader and a follower.”

Steve Jobs

 

Prepare, Protect and Plan: Three Key Steps to Fire Safety

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If you live in California, every season is fire season. It is imperative that every homeowner is properly protected before the Santa Ana winds begin to blow. Here are three things that we recommend in order for you to be prepared:

  1. Document Your Belongings in Order to Get Full Replacement Value

It is recommended by most insurers that you document your belongings in order to be able to easily claim the full replacement value. Without these documents, insurers may offer the cheapest comparable replacements. There are several methods that can be used, including keeping a photographic log of items and their receipts (in the case of more expensive items like electronics and jewelry), or a video showing the items in your household. Remember to make sure that any model numbers or identifying features are visible.

  1. Review Your Homeowners Policy – You May Not Be Fully Covered

In order to make sure your homeowner’s insurance covers fire damage, review your existing policy. In some cases, plans limit how much compensation can be given for fire damage; this may mean that your coverage is not enough to replace the full value of your home and belongings. While most homeowner’s insurance provides fire protection, it often only does so to an extent. For instance, in an area that has been widely affected, labor and material costs may rise as people rebuild. Homeowner’s insurance may also neglect to cover the cost of certain aspects of clean up such as ash and debris. For this reason, it is important to consider reviewing your policy to ensure that the coverage you have is adequate for your property, especially as we enter the driest month of the year.

  1. Download Our Guide

In your home, there is only one thing that is truly irreplaceable: Your Family. That’s why we’re offering this helpful guide that provides important safety tips and information on what to do if you are the victim of a fire. Click here to download our free fire safety guide.

We believe in proactively protecting the things that you’ve worked so hard to build; it’s The Conrey Difference. Download our comprehensive fire safety guide and schedule an appointment today to discuss your coverage and manage your risk. We’ll be happy to help.

 

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

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.