Skip to main content
Category

General Topics

A certificate of insurance form sits on a tabletop among small contractor tools.Business InsuranceGeneral Topics

How to Handle a Certificate of Insurance Request

Business is going great. And recently, a potential client over in Homer looked you up, liked what he saw, and reached out to inquire about a kitchen remodel. But before you can scope the work, present a timeline, or even a budget, the client says: “I was wondering if you could provide me with a certificate of insurance before we get started.” Yep. You need to show proof of business insurance to land this job. But how do you go about doing that? Why can’t you just show them your insurance policy and be done with it? This is probably…
April 4, 2023
A masked burglar sneaks into a garage to steal tools belonging to a small contractor.Business InsuranceGeneral Topics

Proper Tool Insurance for Small Contractors

Your tools and equipment are the lifeblood of your work. Without them, you can’t finish the job and collect payment. If some of those tools go missing, sure, you can replace a few if you had to on the fly. But what if your Snap-on tool chest was rolled out of your garage along with everything in it? What if your hand tools were stolen from the job site or destroyed in a fire? If you’re here, these problems have occurred to you or someone you know. You want to insure your tools but aren’t sure where to start. As…
March 31, 2023
Chart showing how inflation drives up insurance rates and the cost of a home, car, and other goods and services.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

How Inflation Is Driving Up Insurance Rates

You’ve been busy with life and work, and months have flown by like days. The seasons changed: fall gave way to a crisp CNY winter, and spring appeared like an old friend bearing a gift. While you were caught up in the swift passage of time, you may have missed the arrival of your insurance policy renewal. And sadly, it didn’t show up alone. It brought a friend ... another rate increase! In fact, Insurance rates have been on the rise for a while now, along with the increased cost of goods and services you’re used to. As insurance agents…
March 14, 2023
Travelers Insurance logo for the Horan Review.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

Travelers Insurance: The Horan Review

Travelers Insurance is among the most well-known Property and Casualty carriers we’ll cover in this series of Horan Reviews, so they need no introduction. But we’ll introduce them anyway for those who know little about what the insurer does and how its products work. Though you may have heard of Travelers—since the company’s annual advertising budget is close to $100 million—you may not know about some of their unique policy functions and how those policies can benefit you. In this Horan Review, we’ll explore those unique features and look at what might make Travelers a good or not-so-good fit for…
March 2, 2023
Main Street America Insurance logo for the Horan Review.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

Main Street America Insurance: The Horan Review

Main Street America Insurance, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a fairly large national carrier licensed in New York and 36 additional US states. But they’re not as well-known as other large insurance companies who outspend Main Street by hundreds of millions of dollars on TV, radio, and print ads each year. For that reason, many Central New Yorkers have heard little about the company. Main Street still writes many personal and commercial policies through dedicated independent agents living and working in vibrant communities in our region. In this Horan Review, we’ll look more closely at some of their unique policy…
March 1, 2023
Progressive Insurance logo for the Horan Review.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

Progressive Insurance: The Horan Review

Unlike several regional insurance companies featured in our Horan Review series, Progressive happens to be a national household name. The carrier spends nearly a billion dollars annually on unique marketing campaigns, mainly featuring the fictional upbeat sales expert Flo. So, you’re likely familiar with Progressive’s brand. But it’s probably fair to presume you know little about the company itself and the lines of insurance products it sells. Understanding what those products are, what they do, and how well they function as coverages goes a long way in determining if Progressive is a good fit for your insurance needs beyond the…
February 28, 2023
Dryden Mutual Insurance logo for the Horan Review.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

Dryden Mutual Insurance: The Horan Review

Dryden Mutual Insurance is a regional carrier in Upstate New York. Since they serve a single state, their marketing dollars are concentrated in New York, but the company doesn’t have the huge ad budget larger national rivals wield, so you’ve likely heard little about them. But Dryden Mutual has been around longer than many other carriers, and the company has established itself with property and general liability lines of insurance that can be tailored to suit an array of circumstances faced by its policyholders. In this Horan Review, we’ll explore Dryden’s unique insurance products and coverages and help you determine…
February 27, 2023
Sterling Insurance logo for the Horan Review.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

Sterling Insurance: The Horan Review

Sterling Insurance is one of the oldest insurers in the state of New York. Yet, the company’s name doesn’t fly off the lips of most Central New Yorkers. That’s because tens of millions of dollars aren’t allocated to television and radio ads like many national insurance carriers. That hasn’t stopped Sterling from strategically positioning itself in other ways, such as tailoring its insurance lines and technology to serve New York residents and businesses in a specific market. By focusing on New York State, Sterling uses its knowledge of New York geography and climate to key in on unique policy needs,…
February 22, 2023
NYCM Insurance logo for the Horan Review.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

NYCM Insurance: The Horan Review

You’ve probably heard little or nothing about NYCM Insurance (or New York Central Mutual), even though they’ve been around for over 100 years. This review will shed light on what the company is and what it does. Unlike the national carriers whose advertisements are seen far and wide, NYCM concentrates its efforts on a regional footprint, focusing on residents of New York State. We’ll start with NYCM’s history and highlight a few insurance products and benefits one can expect from the insurer. After you read this review, you’ll be able to decide if they’re a good fit for your insurance…
February 15, 2023
Erie Insurance logo for the Horan Review.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

Erie Insurance: The Horan Review

If you’ve never heard of Erie Insurance or know little about the company, this review will answer many questions about who they are and what they do. You’re probably more familiar with national insurance carriers whose catchy television commercials interrupt your programming. Erie spends little on advertising and focuses more on policy offerings, so that’s one of the reasons they’re not a household name for most people. But as you’ll see, Erie has been selling insurance for close to a century, which is why they’ve established a proven track record of trustworthiness and dependability. How Erie Insurance Started Erie was…
February 10, 2023
Select the right insurance agent for your policy search.General TopicsPersonal Insurance

Insurance Agent or Broker: Which Should I Choose?

To the layperson, the insurance industry comes with complexities, reams of paperwork, and mind-boggling logistics. And buying insurance is no less complex. If you’re the average CNY resident, purchasing insurance has never been more accessible since it can be done through various methods. You can use agents, brokers, or, in some cases, “buy direct” from an insurance carrier. Each method has its pros and cons, and it can be difficult for the average person to know which option is best for their specific situation. That’s why it’s critical to conduct careful research before buying insurance. Clients who choose Horan as…
January 10, 2023
Blog Post - Group of People Men and Women Looking Shocked at Mobile PhoneGeneral Topics

Why does my insurance keep going up?

Have you ever thought to yourself or said aloud: “Why does my insurance keep going up?”. If so, you are like millions of others who have wondered the same. Every year, Car, Home, Workers Comp, Health, Umbrella, General Liability, and almost every other type of insurance increases in cost. What’s worse? You have done nothing to cause this. What can you do about it? Annual rate increases are something we’re very used to. In fact, we have been talking to our clients about this situation for years. Insurance carriers prefer we agents not pay so much attention to the price.…
May 9, 2022
Blog Post - Over-InsuredGeneral Topics

Yes, you can have too much coverage.

Ask most insurance agents, and you’ll get the same answer: “You can never have too much insurance” they’ll say. Well, if that were true then we’d all be insuring our chest hair like Tom Jones, or our booties like J-Lo. Tom and Jen aren’t over-insured. You, me, and pretty much everyone you know, would be over-insured with those policies.  Being over-insured doesn’t have to just be about some money-making body part. There are many ways you can become over-insured. These are the policy types that are most often selling you more than you might need:      1. Homeowners Insurance…
February 17, 2022
General Topics

Business Unusual

Business Unusual - MaryAnne Williams; Executive Director of GBCC. Baldwinsville is a truly exceptional community and 2020 has been an example of how we work together, particularly in times of crisis. Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) membership consists of individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups, and other organizations, and it was heartening to see these entities cooperating during the shutdown to try and keep everyone and everything afloat. I am always particularly impressed by the businesses that collaborate with other businesses, even when they are technically competitors. They understand that by working together, they all benefit. I am also amazed…
August 10, 2020
General Topics

After the Fire and Rain

What Happens After the Fire's Out or the Water Stops?   By Local Guest Blogger: Lorraine White of Property Restoration, Inc.   12-Step Restoration Procedure Evaluate your Emergency- Get to safety and call 911 for a true emergency.   Call your insurance agent- Report the claim. If it’s after business hours, call claims and take notes for any questions you want to ask your agent.   Selecting Restoration Services- Know your options! You have a “right” to choose which Water/Fire Damage clean-up company come into Your Home. It is nice to have a referral of a company that is known. Check Google Reviews and other avenues to feel confident with your choice.  …
July 7, 2020
General Topics

Top 10 Weirdest Insurance Claims

Top 10 Weirdest Insurance Claims Protecting yourself in the event of damage, loss, illness or death is what insurance is for. As an adult, you most likely have several types of insurance: car, life, homeowners, etc. If your house catches on fire or you get into an auto accident, you file a claim to receive compensation for replacing or fixing what you’ve insured. However, insurance goes far beyond auto, home and life. When it comes to claims, there have been more than a handful of offbeat occurrences. Here are the top 10 weirdest insurance claims and policies to date. 1.…
June 26, 2020
General Topics

Phase II COVID-19 – HOW IS IT AFFECTING THE CNY REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY?

Phase II COVID-19  - HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY? By: Local Guest Blogger; Tracey Kline of 315 Realty Partners in Baldwinsville We have all had to adjust to a new way of life and I am sure you are thinking as I am, we will not be going back to “normal” any time soon. The Real Estate industry has certainly seen some changes during the unprecedented global pandemic. That being said, “Real Estate Must Go On”. If you have not been actively working to buy or sell a home, you may not know of all the changes…
June 22, 2020
General TopicsInsurance Terms

What are loss runs?

Question 89 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/s7l1_GpXgQk If you are a business owner, or an employee of one who has the responsibility of handling the insurance, you've probably been asked for these before. To see what loss runs are, and why it's hard to change insurance companies without them, click on this brief video explanation.
November 3, 2017
General Topics

How come insurance rates go up after claims?

Question 86 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/iDW3YaakK6I Isn't that what insurance is for? Yes it is, and more. However, your rates are based on your past, if something in the future changes, so will the insurance rate. That is the nature of the insurance business. Find out more in this brief video.
October 31, 2017
General Topics

How much for a quote?

Question 83 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/KyHBBat4UiY When listening to a radio ad about insurance and being enticed by a "free quote", do you ever wonder...hmm how much is this Free Quote saving me? I'll bet not. So, do you ever have to "pay" for a quote? Watch this video as we pull the cover off the insurance industry (lol).
October 28, 2017
General Topics

Can we sell any insurance company?

Question 63 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/R6WN-sdNqww As wonderful as it may seem, it's a good thing we can't offer policies with every single company who offers personal or commercial insurance. Watch this brief video to see why.
October 8, 2017
General Topics

Will an insurance carrier pay for legal expenses?

Question 51 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series https://youtu.be/_8BqrLPZnWY In New York State (like so many others) we face the distinct possibility of being sued. Whether it's our business or us as people. there is never a shortage of people looking to make a buck (deserved or not). That is why your liability coverage is so critical. Take a look at this video to see why it's so.
September 26, 2017
General TopicsInsurance Terms

What’s a Declarations Page??

Question 42 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series https://youtu.be/6TDWaSmLjY4 The place to see what you are actually covered for exists on your declarations page. This is where you find out how much protection you have (or don't have) for liability, property damage, physical damage, medical payments, and so much more. Your New York insurance policy hinges on the information displayed on these pages. If you don't see a charge for something you hoped would be covered, it probably isn't.
September 18, 2017
General TopicsInsurance Terms

What is a certificate of insurance?

Question 38 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/ZdibS5_zCuQ If you own a business or hire businesses/individuals to do work for you in New York State, then you'll want to get familiar with insurance certificates. These are the proof that coverage is in place, with one caveat. Watch the video to see what that is and how a certificate can work for you.
September 13, 2017
General Topics

Does bundling my insurance always give me the best deal?

Question 19 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days. https://youtu.be/sXMwLkhUuuE We've seen the ads: Bundle your home and auto and save!! While that might be true, it might also not always be your best deal! In fact, a large percentage of clients have their home and auto policies split because that deal was better than the bundled price or coverage! Watch more above to see why!
August 25, 2017
General Topics

Is there a way to verify that a contractor is currently insured?

Question 18 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days https://youtu.be/9i5xL_FLQB0 When hiring a contractor, one of the 1st things you should ask is: "Are you insured?" If they say yes, ask for proof (watch the video to see what to ask for). If they say no - well that next step is up to you. Just know that as a property owner, you are liable for what happens in your home. If one of their employees gets hurt, you would be on the hook if an insurance policy was not in force. As the owner of the property you are…
August 24, 2017
General Topics

Should I inventory my stuff in the case of a fire?

Question 6 of 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days! https://youtu.be/xNW7qItjrGo You might think the insurance company is going to make you prove every last spool of thread or box of nails. The truth is, the only time it really matters is when you've purchased an unusually high amount of something that most people would only have one or two of, like 10 drills or something. However, I suggest creating a short video of your home or business so that you can have some help recalling what was in it in case of a bad fire. In my experience, most people have a…
August 12, 2017
General Topics

How Does Credit Impact Insurance Premiums

Question 4 of 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days https://youtu.be/ENbD0qqbjfc Though your actual score might not be used when a company asks to review your credit worthiness, how you've handled your credit will be. Almost every insurance company requires a credit check before a final quote can be provided. This check helps make up your insurance score. The better your credit, the better your score might be. Even with good credit, if you're an inexperienced driver, or have had a few claims, you could still see rates higher than you would probably like.
August 10, 2017