Online Program Helps Teens to be Better Drivers

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Young happy woman showing the key of new car

What if we told you that there’s a program designed specifically with your teen driver in mind?

Well, there is.

The teenSMART program is an online course that will educate your teen about the ins and outs of safe driving.

According to the teenSMART website, “Teens that complete the teenSMART program have up to 30% fewer collisions and 51% fewer bodily injury claims than teens that do not complete the program.”

Not only will this course help reduce the amount of accidents your teen may have, it will also give you a discount on your auto policy.

So, how does it work?

It’s simple.

All you need to do is ask your independent insurance agent for the program, but please note that this program is only for participating insurance companies.

This program will come in the form of a downloadable computer link in which you will input a little bit of information before getting started.

From there, you’ll get a discount added to your auto policy if your teen successfully completes the program within 60 days.

Failure to complete the program successfully and within the time frame will result in a loss of the discount.

If you’re interested in the teenSMART course for your teen driver, contact us today and we’ll be glad to help you.

Allied Insurance Managers and West Bend Mutual Insurance Support Empowerment Plan

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Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness through Employment

There are so many amazing efforts in the community right now as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so amazed by the generosity of people providing food to front line workers and those re-tooling to provide much-needed supplies and ramping up to provide more support for those in need with schools closed and businesses shut down.

We are proud to announce that in partnership with West Bend Mutual Insurance that we provided a $2500 donation to the Empowerment Plan. “We appreciate West Bend offering to help our local communities.  These are extremely challenging times and there are some great things going on in our local communities to help fight Covid-19,” said Jayson Bass, CEO at Allied Insurance Managers.

The Empowerment Plan strives to break the cycle of homelessness through employment. They provide employment and training to homeless parents who manufacture sleeping bag coats for those in need.

However, as we face this crisis, they have suspended production of their sleeping bag coats and partnered with Detroit’s Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center. Empowerment Plan has retooled its facility to serve as ISAIC’s centralized pre-production and training center while the ISAIC factory buildout is completed.

Erika George at The Empowerment Plan shared, “We kicked off gown production at our facility April 13th and will be producing thousands of isolation gowns in the coming weeks for Michigan hospital and healthcare workers.”

To learn more about Empowerment Plan, please visit their website: https://www.empowermentplan.org/ 

We are in this together and we are happy to help where we can.

Selective Insurance Announces COVID-19-Related Premium Credit For Personal And Business Auto Policies

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Selective | Be Uniquely Insured

In a press release on Monday, Selective Insurance announced premium credit for personal and business auto policies. See their press release below:

BRANCHVILLE, N.J., April 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Selective Insurance Company of America, the lead insurance company of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIGI), today announced that customers with personal and business auto insurance policies will receive a 15% premium credit for April and May related to the various COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. The program, which is subject to expected regulatory approval, is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support its customers, employees, independent distribution partners, and the community in these uncertain times.

“At Selective, we understand the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related governmental directives. We are giving our personal and business auto policyholders – who have helped to flatten the curve by sheltering-in-place – premium credit for driving less,” said John Marchioni, President and CEO.

For Our Customers

In addition to the premium credit, Selective is committed to working with each customer to provide COVID-19-related assistance. This includes individualized payment flexibility to help ensure they can maintain their insurance coverage, and the delay of policy cancellations, late payment notices, and late or reinstatement fees until May 31 or the timeframe determined by each customer’s home state insurance commissioner. To assist business owners who are experiencing COVID-19-related changes in their operations and risk exposures – such as transitioning from solely brick and mortar operations to a delivery service, using their property differently or an overall reduction in sales revenue – we are collaborating with them and their independent agents to make mid-term policy adjustments. We also are helping our customers mitigate related risks, including cyber attacks, by providing timely information for increased vigilance.

For Our Employees

In mid-March, Selective smoothly transitioned nearly all our office-based employees to home-based through interactive technology. These actions have helped us protect our employees while enabling us to seamlessly provide our products and services to our policyholders and agents.

To further employee safety in this age of social distancing, we are waiving co-pays for all diagnostic testing related to COVID-19 for all insured employees and family members. If anyone covered under our medical plans is diagnosed with COVID-19, they will receive a care package that includes over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms and personal and household cleaning supplies to help keep others in the home protected from potential exposure. In addition through June 4, we are waiving fees for all telemedicine visits regardless of diagnosis. To keep our employees fully informed, we established an online coronavirus resource center with information, videos, and links that help them stay safe, healthy, connected, and engaged. All Selective employees also have free access to on-demand fitness classes, access to over 500 videos and 30 channels, personalized recommendations, goal-based challenges, and progress tracking to help them stay well in their remote work environment.

For Our Communities

Selective’s support of local communities is core to our mission of rebuilding lives after loss and disaster. With our field-based model, Selective has roots where our customers, employees, and independent agents live and work. During the COVID-19 public health crisis, Selective has emphasized corporate and employee philanthropy:

  • The Selective Insurance Group Foundation recently made a $100,000 donation to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, established recently to gather resources from across our corporate headquarter’s home state to identify critical needs and fight the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on local communities.
  • Our Employee Matching Gift Program matches employee contributions, dollar-for-dollar up to $500, to charitable organizations across our geographic footprint to support COVID-19 relief efforts.
  • To help assist in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, Selective has adjusted our Employee Volunteer Program to increase the number of paid Volunteer Days a medical-certified employee may take, up to 10 days a month and 20 days total.
  • Selective is hosting a blood drive (with appropriate social distancing protocols) for Selective employees and their family members to help ensure an adequate blood supply for COVID-19 and other patients.

About Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. is a holding company for 10 property and casualty insurance companies rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Through independent agents, the insurance companies offer standard and specialty insurance for commercial and personal risks and flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program’s Write Your Own Program. Selective’s unique position as both a leading insurance group and an employer of choice is recognized in a wide variety of awards and honors, including the Fortune 1000 and being named as one of “America’s Best Mid-Size Employers” in 2019 by Forbes Magazine. For more information about Selective, visit www.Selective.com.

Home Office Ergonomics: Is your workstation setup correctly?

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White desktop computer

Our partners at Accident Fund originally published this article on April 2, 2020.

With millions of jobs exercising work from home availability, it’s important to remember the ergonomic principles to improve the “fit” between the worker and the space. These tips toward a comfortable work space can help you feel your best while working at home – and the office too!

A practical approach to ergonomics considers the match between the person, the equipment they use, their work processes and the work environment. A person’s capabilities, physical attributes and work habits must be recognized to improve ergonomic factors in the workplace.

Tips to keep in mind as you work from home:

  • Find adequate lighting. Ensure your space has both natural and artificial light sources. Make sure lighting is not shining directly on you or your monitor.
  • Improve your circulation. Set reminders to step away from your desk to stretch or take a short walk.
  • Minimize storage and clutter. Clutter around your work area is not just a distraction, but a trip and fall exposure too.
  • Get a full night of sleep. According to healthline.com, a good night’s rest has been linked to improved productivity and concentration and improved immune function.
  • Make sure your workstation fits you. Assess your home office space to ensure that your workspace meets your needs – especially when new furniture, equipment or tasks are introduced.

For additional information, check out the Accident Fund workstation setup checklist here, watch their desk ergonomics video demonstration or view their quick online learning tool on the topic.

Personal Umbrella Policy Protects You from Large Liability Loss

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Paper cut of insurance concept on green grass background. Car insurance, life insurance, home insurance to protection by umbrella.

From our partners at The Cincinnati Insurance Companies:

Just owning property, driving a car or having a boat are among the scenarios that bring potential for a large liability loss.

While umbrellas help keep us dry from the rain, a personal umbrella insurance policy helps protect you from the financial consequences of a large liability loss.

Here is a basic illustration highlighting the difference between having an umbrella policy and not having one:

Basic Policy – No Umbrella Basic Policy

  • You get sued.
  • You have $300,000 in liability coverage for the basic policy involved (auto or homeowners).
  • You’re found liable for $1,000,000.
  • The underlying policy pays $300,000
  • You’re on the hook for $700,000.

Basic Policy- With Umbrella

  • You get sued.
  • You have $300,000 in liability coverage for the basic policy involved (auto or homeowners) + a $1,000,000 umbrella policy.
  • You’re found liable for $1,000,000.
  • The underlying policy pays $300,000 and the umbrella policy kicks in, because the $300,000 underlying limit has been met and the umbrella pays $700,000.
  • Your liability is satisfied.

POTENTIAL FOR LARGE LIABILITY LOSSES

In today’s litigious environment, any loss exposure can lead to a lawsuit, which could result in a large settlement or judgment with the potential to deplete an individual or family’s bank accounts, retirement savings or college funds. Even the threat of a lawsuit, or one that is ultimately dropped or found groundless, can be very expensive because of the cost of defending the suit. Just take a look at USLAW’s 2019 State Judicial Profile by County.

REAL-WORLD SCENARIOS

You can encounter these possibilities by simply owning property; driving a car; having a dog, boat or pool; being a parent chaperone; leaving a negative review online; or experiencing unusual or unforeseen situations, such as causing an accident in a rented car while traveling in a foreign country. The potential for large liability losses is not just for wealthy or high-profile celebrities.

FACTORS FUELING LARGE VERDICTS

Some factors leading juries to award large verdicts include: the big business versus the individual mentality, emotional stories that tug at jurors’ heartstrings, and the emergence of litigation funding where third parties invest in lawsuits by paying the parties or lawyers in exchange for an interest in the judgment or settlement.

PEACE OF MIND

Because the extent of an injury can be a matter of chance and the potential for loss cannot be known, personal umbrella liability insurance offers a basis of security and provides peace of mind. So, now that you know that it’s National Umbrella Month, celebrate by contacting your independent insurance agent who can help you find the umbrella coverage you need — based on your lifestyle, hobbies and activities — to protect your assets and future earnings.

The hypothetical sample claim scenario presented in this article is offered for educational purposes only. Every claim is adjusted according to its own specific set of facts. Whether or not insurance coverage would apply to any claim depends on the facts and circumstances of each case and the terms, conditions and exclusions of each individual policy.

Neither The Cincinnati Insurance Company nor its affiliates or representatives nor Allied Insurance Managers offer legal advice. Consult with your attorney about your specific situation. Contact the team at Allied Insurance Managers for coverage advice and policy service.