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Stay Ahead of the Storm with These Tornado Safety Tips

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While many people look forward to warmer weather after a cold, harsh winter, the change of seasons also brings with it a risk of tornadoes.

Over 1,000 tornadoes were reported in the United States in 2016, with about 30% of those occurring in so-called “tornado alley” in the central states.

Tornadoes form quickly, giving you less time to respond than for other disasters like snow storms or hurricanes.

Here are some things you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property this tornado season. [Read more…] about Stay Ahead of the Storm with These Tornado Safety Tips

How to Protect Your Small Business from Cyber Security Threats

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In 2017 alone, well-known companies like Verizon, Equifax and Uber were hit with cyber attacks that compromised consumer data and garnered unwanted headlines.

Many small business managers mistakenly think that cyber criminals are only interested “the big boys” with their large databases of customer information.

However, a survey from the Ponemon Institute revealed that 55% of small companies with 1,000 or fewer employees had experienced a cyber attack in the past 12 months.

  • 50% of the companies had data breaches involving customer and employee information in the past 12 months.
  • The companies spent an average of $879,582 because of damage or theft of IT assets.
  • Disruption to normal operations caused by cyber attacks totaled $955,429.

What cyber threats and vulnerabilities does your small or medium-sized business need to pay attention to? How can you reduce your risk of a cyber attack and be prepared in case an attack does happen? [Read more…] about How to Protect Your Small Business from Cyber Security Threats

Is Your Business Protected from Slip and Fall Claims, Frozen Pipes This Winter?

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When a winter storm hits, the snow plows hit the roads while kids across the Ozarks hope for an extra day off from school.

But for your business, wintry precipitation can also lead to costly insurance claims.

  • There’s an increased risk of people slipping and falling on slick surfaces.
  • You’re more likely to suffer water damage should frozen pipes burst.

Here are some winter safety tips for the workplace to protect your business from the risk of these claims as you get through another season of extreme winter weather. [Read more…] about Is Your Business Protected from Slip and Fall Claims, Frozen Pipes This Winter?

Make the Season Brighter with Holiday Safety Tips for Your Home or Business

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The holidays are a joyful but hectic time of year for businesses and consumers alike.

Between stocking the shelves, buying presents, decorating the house and more, the season brings with it both excitement and plenty of stress. It also brings many hazards that can lead to injuries and financial losses.

Keep reading for some helpful holiday safety tips for homes and businesses. [Read more…] about Make the Season Brighter with Holiday Safety Tips for Your Home or Business

Only Hire Insured Contractors to Get the Quality and Protection You Deserve

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You’ve decided it’s time to update your kitchen. And with so many contractors vying for your business, how do you decide which one is best?

One of your biggest priorities is controlling your costs — after all, remodeling jobs can get expensive, and it’s absolutely true that you shouldn’t spend more than you have to.

But it’s also true that the cheapest offer you get may not be the best value.

That’s because the cheapest remodelers are often less likely to have the necessary insurance to protect themselves — and you — in the event of an accident or damage stemming from the work they do on your property.

The reality is, you should ONLY consider hiring a contractor that is fully insured vendor, and a fully insured contractor will usually never be the cheapest. Let’s talk a little more about why this is so important. [Read more…] about Only Hire Insured Contractors to Get the Quality and Protection You Deserve

What Is an Umbrella Policy and Why Does Your Business Need It?

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Suppose an employee causes a car accident while on company time and multiple people are injured.  Will your auto liability limits be exhausted?

Commercial liability insurance and other business policies are intended to protect you from the cost of legal fees, medical bills and other expenses stemming from lawsuits. But what if a claim exceeds the limits of your underlying coverage? You need to look into an umbrella policy that allows for maximum insurance coverage for your business. [Read more…] about What Is an Umbrella Policy and Why Does Your Business Need It?

Protect Employees and Your Bottom Line with Missouri Workers Compensation Insurance

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If you own or manage a business, you have a tremendous responsibility for serving customers, helping employees do their jobs and ensuring long-term success.

And one of the key ingredients in all of that is to make sure your business is properly insured. There are many types of business insurance – including property insurance, general liability, automobile insurance and professional liability insurance.

Another type of policy you may have heard about is workers compensation insurance and employers liability. But what exactly is workers comp and why do you need it?

For starters, workers compensation coverage is legally mandated for many businesses, and protects your organization and your workers if they suffer injuries on the job.

A workers compensation policy has two parts:

  • Part One: Workers Compensation Insurance. The insurer pays state-required benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses, including medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages and death benefits in the event of a fatal injury.
  • Part Two: Employer liability. If your business has a suit filed against it in connection with an employee’s work-related injury or illness, the Employers Liability section could respond.

Keep reading to learn more about workers compensation insurance and how to lower premiums by investing in the safety of your workforce. [Read more…] about Protect Employees and Your Bottom Line with Missouri Workers Compensation Insurance

Insurance Basics: The Types of Insurance You Need to Protect Your Business

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Launching a new business is exciting. However, the risks of starting a business can be overwhelming. Learning what types of insurance can best protect your business during difficult times will help provide you with a sense of security early on in your business. 

From identifying your best prospects and developing the right strategy to securing adequate funding, there are many crucial decisions that are essential to starting your new venture off on the right foot.

With so much to think about, many entrepreneurs neglect the all-important step of making sure the business is properly insured.

Every business, large or small, faces risks that could put the future of the company in jeopardy.

Unfortunately, according to the Small Business Administration, far too many start-ups ignore the need for small business insurance until it’s too late.

Let’s review the insurance basics and important reasons to invest in business insurance sooner rather than later, along with some specific types of insurance you’ll want to consider. [Read more…] about Insurance Basics: The Types of Insurance You Need to Protect Your Business

Do I Need Flood Insurance in Case of a Flood Emergency?

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Heavy rains this spring have caused significant damage to homes and businesses in Missouri and throughout the Midwest.

With parts of the state receiving up to 12 inches of rain in late April and early May, many folks are wondering if they are prepared to deal with flood damage and if they have adequate insurance coverage if a flood hits their property.

Let’s take a look at why you need flood insurance for your home or business and what to do before, during and after a flood occurs. [Read more…] about Do I Need Flood Insurance in Case of a Flood Emergency?