Blog Posts

Experian Predicts 2019’s Top Cyber Threats

12/28/2018

Consumers may currently be thinking about how they can best protect themselves from cyber threats while shopping online during the holiday season, but insurers and risk managers are already looking ahead with hopes of mitigating threats that may emerge in the new year.

Recently, Experian® shared its sixth annual “Data Breach Industry Forecast,” which broaches such topics as cloud attacks and biometric hacking.

“Hackers have become very nimble at outsmarting protection measures,” Michael Bruemmer, Experian’s vice president of Data Breach Resolution, said in a press release. “Our predictions look at where hackers may go next to exploit vulnerabilities, so companies can safeguard themselves against these future threats.”

Here are Experian’s five data breach predictions for 2019:

Attackers will zero in on biometric hacking
Attackers will zero in on biometric hacking and expose vulnerabilities in touch ID sensors, facial recognition and passcodes. Biometric data is considered the most secure method of authentication, but it can be stolen or altered, and sensors can be manipulated and spoofed or deteriorate with too much use
Next generation skimming on a national network
Skimming is the next frontier for an enterprise-wide attack on a major financial institution’s national network, which could result in millions of losses. Credit card skimmers are hidden devices designed to steal card information and passcodes. Criminals are now going after bank networks – moving beyond attacking individual ATMs by loading malware into entire computer systems.
A major wireless carrier will be attacked
A major wireless carrier will be attacked with a simultaneous effect on both iPhone and Android, stealing personal information from millions of consumers and possibly disabling all wireless communications in the United States. Similar to an attack on critical infrastructure, a serious disruption to a wireless network would halt the nation.
A top cloud provider will suffer a breach
It’s a matter of when, not if, a top cloud vendor will suffer a breach, compromising the sensitive information of major companies. The only question is how long it will take hackers to go to the cloud, affecting the world’s largest companies and potentially billions of pieces of data.
The online gaming community will be an emerging hacker surface
The online gaming community will be an emerging hacker target, with cybercriminals posing as games and gaining access to the computers and personal data of trusting players. A cybercriminal can easily pose as a gamer or take over an avatar to infiltrate games and communities, stealing personal and credit card information and valuable game pieces and tokens.

We now provide insurance for consumers and businesses for the following:

Cyber Crime Coverage
Reputational Damage Coverage from Cyber Event
Computer Fraud and Funds Transfer Fraud

Call me so we can discuss how to protect you and your business against cyber threats.

Have a safe and healthy New Year!

1 Comment

Travelers Teams Up With Amazon to Provide Smart Home Solutions

11/27/2018

0 Comments

Travelers has teamed up with Amazon to offer smart home kits and valuable insurance and risk management information through the insurance industry’s first digital storefront: Amazon.com/Travelers.

The smart home kits, which will be offered at discounted prices for Travelers customers in participating states, are designed to help protect homeowners from some of the most common causes of loss. Discounted kit installation through Amazon Smart Home Services is also offered where available. The smart home kits include:

Security cameras.
Water sensors.
Motion detectors with multi-sensor capabilities.
A smart home hub that wirelessly connects a wide range of smart devices and enables them to work together.
An Amazon Echo Dot.

Eligible Travelers home insurance customers will receive a discount on their policy with the purchase of a smart home kit.

Now you can get help managing your Travelers policies and get home safety and maintenance tips by simply asking Alexa on any Alexa enabled device. Travelers is proud to offer two new Travelers skills for Alexa -
Travelers Home Central Skill and the Travelers Skill.

Both skills allow customers to interact with Travelers in a new, convenient way.

Auto and home customers can now easily access policy information through the Travelers Skill, while ALL customers can access property maintenance and home safety tips through the Travelers Home Central Skill.

For more information, visit Travelers Here or give me a call and I'll be happy to assist you at 201-796-1881.

0 Comments

Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road

9/3/2018

2 Comments

The end of summer vacation comes too quickly for most of us. With vacations wrapping up and an influx of traffic, September brings a change in driving patterns and a return to school zone rules of the road.

College students are packing up their cars to head back to campus, and parents are driving their kids to and from school. The increase in traffic congestion and distracted driving can lead to potentially dangerous road conditions and contribute to auto accidents.

6 Tips to Stay Safe on the Roads this School Year:

Avoid Distracted Driving. When the entire family is traveling in the car, the potential for distraction is multiplied. Young drivers are prone to distracted driving, especially with the temptation of handheld technology. Keep the phone out of sight and NEVER text while driving.
Respect the Big Yellow Bus. Imagine being in a large vehicle with 40 noisy 6th-graders. Put yourself in the bus driver’s shoes. Do your part and make the driver’s job easier. Yield when they are attempting to merge. Maintain a significant distance behind buses as they often make unexpected stops. Make sure children know never to walk behind buses.
Watch out for Pedestrians. Back-to-school season means kids walking to class and more bicycles on the road, especially in residential areas close to schools.
Wear Seat Belts. Seat belts save lives and help to prevent injuries. Make sure all children are correctly buckled in the proper car or booster seats. Additionally, secure pets in the back of the car.
Plan and Allow Extra Travel Time. With more vehicles on the roads, there is more potential for dangerous accidents. Be patient, allow extra travel time just in case.
Be Wary of New Drivers. A new school year brings a surge of newly-licensed teen drivers on the roads, in addition to inexperienced college students with only a couple of years driving under their belt. Be mindful and cautious of new drivers.

While we normally associate the beginning of the school year with more traffic in school zone areas, it’s also important to keep in mind the increase of traffic on highways and roads as well. In September, commute times typically rise due to commuting students and parents dropping off children at schools.

By exercising a little extra care and caution, and keeping these facts in mind, we can all keep ourselves and families safe.

2 Comments

Getting Personal. Is it time for Cyber Insurance?

8/8/2018

1 Comment

Cyber Threats Continue to Increase

Recent data from the Federal Trade Commission found that millennials are reporting fraud a lot more often than other groups, with an average loss around $200. Seniors reported less frequently, but their average loss is $1,200.

64 percent of Americans have an online account involving health, financial or other sensitive data. As more and more people rely on the internet to do business and manage their personal lives, their information has the potential to become susceptible to a cyber breach.

Your home is full of cyber risks. Too many homeowners don’t realize this until it’s too late. Whether it’s your computer or mobile device, or your laptop or connected home technology, you need the right protection for the exposures that come with modern connected life.

What is a Personal Cyber Policy and why should individuals consider this coverage?

Personal cyber insurance policies will give insureds security in the case of a cyber attack, allowing them to file claims for ransom and extortion payments, identity theft fees, and data restoration expenses related to a personal cybersecurity breach.

With HSB Home Cyber Protection™, you can gain a suite of innovative cyber coverage for computer attacks, cyber extortion, online fraud and the breach of personal information of others involving smartphones, computers and connected home devices.

HSB Home Cyber Protection™ coverage includes:

Computer Attack, to remove malware and reprogram computers and tablets, Wi-Fi routers or other internet access points
Home Systems Attack, to restore devices connected to the internet, including smartphones, thermostats, smart appliances, and security and monitoring systems
Cyber Extortion, with professional assistance on how to respond to a ransomware attack and payment of ransom when approved
Online Fraud, for losses due to identity theft, phishing schemes, illegal bank and credit card transfers, forgery, counterfeit currency, and other deceptions
Data Breach, including forensic IT and legal reviews, notification and recovery services when private non-business data entrusted to an individual is lost, stolen or published.

What are some actions you can take to help protect your data?

In addition to offering Personal Cyber coverage, be aware of what information you place online, and how to protect it. Many people have an outdated impression that hackers are just rogue individuals, typically working out of someone’s basement – this is no longer the case. Today, hacking is a full-time job and organized crime in the cyber world is a huge syndicate.

There are a few initial steps that consumers can take to protect themselves, including:

Personal Cyber Policy: This will protect clients against traditional identity theft, paying any direct monetary losses that are unrecoverable as well as any expenses to investigate and remediate. Policyholders also get the benefit of a specialist to help restore their credit report.
Install a password manager: Password strength and encryption are important, and using a password manager allows users to not have to rely on memory to remember passwords. The manager will also encrypt users’ information and automatically change his or her password every time they access a site.
Use available resources: The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) can provide clients with a wealth of knowledge and act as a great educational resource for people needing help to navigate a cyber attack. And best of all, it’s free.

Personal cyber crime is not something that can be prevented. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans have experienced some form of data theft.

Contact me if you wish to discuss your risks and we can come up with the best line of defense to protect you.

1 Comment

Are you insured for summer?

5/24/2018

0 Comments

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining,
the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and
the lawn mower is broken.”

—James Dent

Memorial Day marks the start of the summer travel season. From cross-country road trips to surfing at the beach, summer likely means fun travel and outdoor activities. However, even carefully planned trips can be disrupted by unforeseen incidents. Extreme sports, boating, and even pool parties – all carry some risk and liability.

All-terrain vehicles are typically not covered by homeowners or standard automobile insurance policies. For an affordable price, we can help you find a separate ATV policy, review age restrictions, and determine if the policy covers friends and family.

A boat insurance policy provides liability coverage in case someone is injured on your boat. It also covers bodily injury inflicted on others as well as property damage to your boat. Personal watercrafts, such as jet skis, often require a separate policy.

Some companies may not insure your property if you own a pool, or there may be exclusions for liability and related injuries. Your insurance company may also deny coverage or cancel your policy if you do not follow the policy’s safety guidelines or fail to inform them when you build a pool. Consider adding an umbrella policy to increase your liability coverage.

Whether you’re leaving home for a weekend getaway or a long road trip, be aware of what your policy covers while you’re away. Typically, your homeowners insurance will follow you, protecting you even while you’re not at home. Off-premises coverage means your belongings are covered anywhere in the world. If you’re staying at a hotel and your belongings are stolen, your policy will provide coverage, but the exact coverage depends on your specific policy. If you are traveling with high-priced items, it’s a good idea to insure them separately.

Not sure what your coverage is for summer travel? Give us a call and we’ll review your policies and help you fine tune coverage for your family and your business. 201-796-1881

Have a safe Memorial Day and enjoy your summer travels!

0 Comments

How to handle a car accident...

4/23/2018

9 Comments

The average American will have 3 or 4 auto accidents in his or her lifetime!

In 2015 alone, more than 2.4 million people were injured and nearly 35,000 people died in 6.2 million crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The good news? Most car collisions aren’t deadly.

Check out some car accident statistics from DriverKnowledge.com:

About 9 people are killed each day as a result of distracted driving.
You are 23 times as likely to crash if you text while driving.
1 out of 3 people texts while driving.
Wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of death by 45%.
1 in 7 people do not wear a seat belt while driving.
People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from the vehicle during a crash.

What to do after a Car accident

Safety First. Stay calm. Take a deep breath, check for injuries and call for emergency help if necessary.
If the accident is minor, and it will not put anyone in jeopardy to do so, move the cars involved in the accident to a safe place.
Shift car into park, turn off your vehicle and turn on the hazard lights.
CALL THE POLICE. Even if your accident is minor, and even if the other party tries to persuade you to just “handle it among yourselves,” DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Gather information:
---Make notes about the accident,
---Names and contact information, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions,
---Insurance companies and policy numbers,
---Witnesses names and contact information,
---Accident scene location,
---Police officer’s name and badge number.
Take photos of the scene, including photos of the damage to all vehicles.
Contact your insurance company after your accident and file a claim.
Notify your insurance agent quickly.

What NOT to do after a Car accident

Never leave the scene of the accident.
Never admit responsibility for the accident.
Never sign any documents unless it’s for the police or your insurance agent.
Never agree to allow the insurance company to record your conversation without speaking to an attorney first.
Never discuss your accident on social media.

Having an auto accident or dealing with a catastrophe is stressful, but it’s important to stay calm and focused. The right steps will help keep you safe and prevent further stress.

You never have to manage a car accident alone. We are here to help you every step of the way. During business hours, contact us as soon as possible at 201-796-1881. We are always ready and willing to assist you.

Happy Spring and safe driving.

9 Comments

When Riley and Quinn Blow in...

3/8/2018

0 Comments

Last week's severe weather caused widespread damage resulting in downed trees, power outages and damaged roofs.

Two nor'easters in less than a week's time can be a nightmare.

That's why it's important to take both storms seriously and be sure to restock all emergency supplies.

Are You Prepared?

Check Your Supplies

Make sure you have a snow shovel and salt/sand to keep walkways safe.
Check for sufficient heating fuel and generator fuel.
Keep adequate supplies of seasoned wood if you have a fireplace or wood stove.
Keep warm clothing/blankets on hand, and stock non-perishable foods and drinking water.

Be Ready for a Power Outage

Turn your heat up now, and close off any rooms that are not currently in use.
Check pipe insulation. If you lose power, allow the water to run at a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing.
Charge battery-powered electronic and communication devices.
Keep a battery-powered radio on hand.
Take out your flashlights, batteries and first aid kit.

Click the Travelers logo to learn more about preparing for storms, snow removal, winter driving safety tips, and much more.

Black Ice: How To Spot This Winter Driving Danger

Black Ice - It’s slippery, hard-to-spot and potentially deadly. “The biggest danger is that you are at the mercy of your vehicle and the ice until your car passes over it,” claims Julie Lee, vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.

Black ice forms most often when it’s raining, and air is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Andrew Mussoline. Low ground temperature causes the precipitation to freeze upon impact, thus creating ice.

The prime time for the development of this ice is between sunset and sunrise, when temperatures are typically the lowest. During the day, the best thing to do before getting in a vehicle is to check the pavement. “If the pavement is dry but you are seeing spots that look dark and glossy, that is probably going to be black ice," Lee said.

The most common locations for black ice are shaded or tree-covered parts of driveways and roadways due to the lack of sunlight. Bridges and overpasses are also prime locations because of their ability to freeze quickly.

“Due to a vehicle’s lack of traction on ice, the basic rule for driving on black ice is to stay calm and let the vehicle pass over it,” according to Lee.

Click above to watch The Weather Channel explain black ice.

Flood Damage Can be Worsened

Home and businesses that suffered flood damage from the first nor’easter might be invaded by the sea yet again. It’s helpful to have weeks or months between storms so proper damage surveys can be performed, and so measures can be taken to prevent flooding during future storms.

When storms come just days apart, it’s not so easy. Along the coast, residents are working feverishly to prepare their homes for nor’easter Quinn with hopes that the flooding won’t be as severe.

If you suffer any kind of damage and need to contact your insurance provider, visit the claims page on our website, or contact us during business hours at 201-796-1881. We are always here and ready to assist you.

Stay safe.

0 Comments

Olympics present myriad risks for insurers

2/25/2018

0 Comments

I am always amazed at how captivating the Olympics are to me.

My favorite moments this year were Shaun White pulling off an inhumanly good halfpipe run to win his 3rd gold medal, Chloe Kim landing back-to-back 1080s in the women’s snowboarding halfpipe-an Olympic first and winning gold.

However, my absolute favorite so far is the U.S. women’s hockey team beating Canada in an overtime shootout, overcoming a 20-year medal drought and an intense rivalry to win gold.

Location and political climate introduce unique insurance issues to these Winter Olympics

According to a recent article by Property Casualty 360, The 2018 Winter Olympics bring in the usual risks associated with international sporting events. But this year, the location and political climate of the event’s host country adds some risks to which insurers are not necessarily accustomed.

There are, of course, the usual risks for the Olympic Games such as event cancellation, exposure, abandonment, and terrorism. (The risk of a terrorist attack becomes higher with each Olympic Games.)

The Internet’s vast unknowns:
Cyber insurance deals with some uncharted territory, including clashes between different lines of business, coverage of contingent business interruption, outages of external networks and internet, and security gaps. This year, the need for cyber insurance surfaced quickly, first through Russian hacker interferences as retaliation for that country’s doping ban, and then with the “Olympic Destroyer” malware, which aimed to shut down the Feb. 9, 2018, opening ceremony. It follows that the International Olympic Committee has taken out protection for around $800 million for the Olympic Games, covering the majority of the roughly $1 billion investment that the IOC made in the host city, according to Reuters.

Myriad other risks:
There are monumental risks accompanying the major task of construction and infrastructure development of the Olympic arena. Construction insurance is purchased to guarantee the financing and completion of athletic and non-athletic venues. Construction insurance also is necessary. Almost 3,000 Olympians will be competing in 15 different winter sports, all of which require specific facilities, including the Alpensia Biathlon Centre, the Olympic Sliding Centre, the Phoenix Snow Park, the Jeongseon Alpine Center, and specific arenas for hockey, curling and ice skating. It is necessary to build several non-athletic venues including the Olympic Village, the Olympic Stadium and areas for the press and for international broadcasting. While the types of insurance necessary for the construction of these sites may differ, it’s safe to assume that the coverage is costly.

All that glitters:
Olympic medal insurance is also necessary. Historically, several American Olympians have misplaced or lost their medals, or these singular trophies have been stolen. For years, Liberty Mutual has insured each gold, silver and bronze medal won by U.S. athletes, noting how meaningful every medal is to the country and the athlete who earned the right to wear them. The company will continue to provide coverage for all medals through 2020.

Liability coverage, specialty policies, and more can be read by clicking the link here to learn more about Olympic insurance policies.

Congratulations to all of the Olympians. I await the Summer Olympics in Japan in 2020.

0 Comments

Types of Insurance for Small Business Owners

1/25/2018

6 Comments

If you're like most business owners, your business card might bear the title CEO or Owner, but you know that on any given day it could just as easily read customer service, marketing manager or chief cook and bottle-washer!

The success of your business depends on your ability to wear all the multiple hats needed to keep the wheels of your business turning. At times, the dizzying pace required can turn even the most capable person into an overwhelmed entrepreneur wearing too many hats.

Protecting the business that you've worked long and hard to grow is a key component to its success. Do you know what types of insurance you should have to protect your specific business? What happens if someone falls on your property? What if an employee sues you? What about a fire or theft in the building?

Business insurance can seems like a crossword puzzle without the clues. At Suburban Brokers, we have the expertise to help you sort out the best options for protecting your business. Look at the types of insurance that might benefit your company.

1. General Liability Insurance: Every business needs to have liability insurance. The policy pays losses arising from real or alleged bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury whether on your business premises or arising from your operations.

2. Property Insurance: If you own your building or business property, including office equipment, computers, inventory or tools you should consider purchasing a policy that will protect you if you have a fire, vandalism, theft, smoke damage etc. You may also want to consider business interruption/loss of earning insurance as part of the policy to protect your earnings if the business is unable to operate.

3. Business Owner’s Policy (BOP): This policy packages all required coverage a business owner would need. Often, BOP’s will include business interruption insurance, property insurance, vehicle coverage, liability insurance, and crime insurance. Based on your company’s specific needs, you can alter what is included in a BOP. Typically, a business owner saves money with a BOP because the bundle of services costs less than the total cost of all the individual coverage.

4. Commercial Auto Insurance: Protects a company’s vehicles. You can protect vehicles that carry employees, products or equipment. With commercial auto insurance, you insure your work cars, SUVs, vans and trucks from damage and collisions. For employees that drive their own cars on company business, you should have non-owned auto liability to protect the company in case the employee does not have insurance or has inadequate coverage. Many times, the non-owned vehicle can be added to the BOP policy.

5. Worker’s Compensation: Provides insurance to employees who are injured on the job. This type of insurance provides wage replacement and medical benefits to those who are injured while working. In exchange for these benefits, the employee gives up his rights to sue his employer for the incident. As a business owner, it is very important to have worker’s compensation insurance because it protects yourself and your company from legal complications. State laws will vary, but all require you to have workers compensation if you have W2 employees. Penalties for non-compliance can be very stiff.

6. Professional Liability Insurance: This type of insurance is also known as “Errors and Omissions Insurance.” The policy provides defense and damages for failure to render or improper rendering of professional services. Your general liability policy does not provide this protection, so it is important to understand the difference. Professional liability insurance is applicable for any professional firm including lawyers, accountants, consultants, notaries, real estate agents, insurance agents, hair salons, technology providers, and many more.

7. Data Breach: If the business stores sensitive or non-public information about employees or clients on their computers, servers or in paper files they are responsible for protecting that information. If a breach occurs either electronically or from a paper file, a data breach policy will provide protection against the loss.

We have the markets and insurance solutions for your small business needs. Let us wear one of your hats for a while and help you to protect your business.

6 Comments

Dangers of Distracted Driving – Part 2

12/29/2017

0 Comments

Distracted driving is dangerous and claimed 3,477 lives in 2015. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) leads the national effort to save lives by preventing this dangerous behavior. Get the facts, get involved and help us keep America’s roads safe.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and can increase your risk of crashing.

Consequences
In 2015, 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers and during daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers were using cell phones while driving. That creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.

NHTSA is Dedicated to Eliminating Risky Behaviors for a Safer Road
NHTSA leads the fight nationally against distracted driving by educating Americans about its dangers and partnering with the States and local police to enforce laws against distracted driving that help keep people safe.
NHTSA’s campaigns and public service announcements make the case to Americans that safe driving means driving without distractions.

Get Involved: Help Stop Distracted Driving
Teens are the best messengers to their peers, so encourage them to speak up when they see a friend driving while distracted.

Parents first must lead by example, and never drive distracted, as well as have a talk with their young driver about distractions and all of the responsibilities that come with driving.

Educators and Employers – spread the word at your school or workplace about the dangers of distracted driving.

Make Your Voice Heard – be a voice in your community by supporting local laws and speaking out.

Are You Driving Under the Influence of Your Phone? Click to take the quiz.

More accidents equate to higher costs for insurance companies, and insurers pass along these costs to consumers. The Boston Globe reports that insurers plan on increasing auto premiums 3% to 6% on Massachusetts drivers this year, on top of increases of 6% to 9% in 2016. Insurers in North Carolina, meanwhile, have requested auto premium hikes averaging 13.8%, according to the Charlotte Observer. Drivers in neighboring South Carolina saw their auto insurance rates increase an average of 8.9% last year.

And it’s not just teenage drivers. State Farm says 36 percent of all drivers’ text and drive – and it’s making everyone’s costs go up.

In my mind, that means it’s up to everyone to get involved. As a parent, as an educator, as an employer, and as a citizen. We all need to make our voice be heard.

Visit the NHTSA website for more resources and to learn how you can get more involved.

Happy New Year and safe travels to everyone from all of us at Suburban Brokers!