risk

Prepare Your Business For The Future

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If your business survived 2020 and 2021, there is hope for the future. Having survived the past is a good indication that your business is strong and prepared for the future. But it is essential to understand that the risks of the past change and the risk your business faces will be different. It will be important to understand your future risk to have a strategic plan on how to analyze, manage and insure these new risks.

Trends That Are Not So Good

It is becoming more frequent for non-insurers to establish insurance firms. Some automakers now provide or even design their auto insurance packages to sell alongside the vehicles they produce.

Insurers rely on data to determine their coverage and price. This takes the relationship and uniqueness out of the process.

We believe it is vital to understand the uniqueness of each business, not lump them together.

More insurers are offering online insurance. So now, business owners will have to determine what coverage they need without any professional help. This will also allow insurers to limit coverage and even deny claims without the business having proper representation.

Future Risk Trends

Environmental, social and governmental activism

Businesses are becoming a target for many new areas of social and governmental influences. Make sure your insurance can address these issues.

Cyber liability

Did you know that the average business has a greater chance of having a cyber breach than it does of having a fire? It is true, and your business insurance policy most likely will not cover cyber liability losses. This new world of connected devices promises insights on which companies can base strategic decisions.

Economic uncertainty

The next few years will be a special time for most businesses. It will be important to understand how to design an insurance and risk plan that can respond to losses that allow your business to continue.

Supply Chain

Today’s complex business environment does not occur in a vacuum. Companies are interconnected networks with several internal and external stakeholders. As the business world grows more interconnected and dynamic, it’s critical that you have a thorough grasp of the risks to your day-to-day operations and are prepared to handle them. Business interruption losses can range from decreased sales to increased operating costs because of the loss of a crucial supplier to the loss of future revenue streams as a result of a disruptive incident.

New Work Environment

Agents and insurers may increase their relevance by providing specialized protections for remote workers and small home-based enterprises that reflect how people live and work today.

Final Thoughts

Businesses’ needs are not the same, and the insurance and risk solutions they are provided should match their individual risks. In order to ensure that the program that is tailored to each and every customer, agents should develop relationships and insurer analytics to better understand their customers’ risk exposures. Understanding the business’s needs and risks leads to a framework for providing better solutions to their customers.

 

insurance

Why Are My Insurance Premiums Going Up, I Did Not Have A Claim?

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It can be unpleasant to open your insurance bill to pay your premium, only to discover that your premium payments have increased upon renewal.  We know that most people who carry insurance policies on their homes, cars, and businesses may be unfamiliar with how insurance policies are developed and changed.  So, we thought we might help you understand the why.

Insurers base their policy prices on several variables.  These cost components fluctuate up and down.  Premiums are currently rising in many states.  Remember, insurance companies are competing for your business, so they try to keep their rates competitive.

To help us through the process, we wanted to break it down between home and auto insurance.

Home Insurance

  • The increased cost of construction materials and labor to repair or replace the damage to your home. Even though you did not have a claim, this impacts all insurance rates.
  • Storms and other natural disasters. Hurricanes, floods, droughts, wildfires, and other severe weather events have become more frequent, destructive, and costly. In 2021 alone, the United States sustained 20 weather events with losses exceeding $1 billion.
  • The older your home, the higher the insurance cost will be.
  • Lawsuit frequency has increased, and settlements are at an all-time high.
  • Supply chain in the production and delivery of appliances, materials, tools, and other key construction elements added to delays and cost hikes.

Auto Insurance 

  • Inflation hits the cost of buying and repairing vehicles.
  • Lawsuit frequency has increased, and settlements are at an all-time high.
  • After COVID, accident rates increased, causing insurers to pay more for claims.
  • Increased healthcare costs. Medical costs have increased for accident-related injuries.
  • Crime has caused more auto thefts and break-ins, affecting all drivers’ rates. There is a 20% increase nationally in stolen vehicles between 2020 and 2021.
  • Your driving record may be accident-free, but if you have tickets or other violations, these will impact your premiums.

Proven Ways To Help Keep Insurance Costs Down

  • Keep your home well maintained
  • Be a safe driver
  • Pay premiums annually
  • Ask about discounts offered by insurers
  • Bundle your home and auto together
  • Increase your deductibles
  • Have your agent review your insurance program and market your coverage the right insurer.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts, close to home, right here in Beavercreek, OH – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

 

 

 

risk

Is It Time To Be Aware Of Changes In Your insurance?

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You may not be aware of all the underlying aspects that influence the cost of your insurance coverage. You might question why insurance is so expensive when attempting to compare prices. Prices might vary significantly from one company to another. There is not doubt premiums are going up and coverage is changing.

Trends we are seeing now with many carries affect your insurance, not is a good way. Some insurers, to lower their costs, here are examples.

  1. Reducing sub-limits on your policy.
  2. Adding a percentage deductible rather than a flat dollar deductible.
  3. Limiting sewer line coverage for homes over 50 years in age.
  4. Changing loss of use coverage to a reduced amount of time.

What Can You Do To Minimize Your Risk

  • Read your policy and any renewal coverage change bullitins.
  • Call your agent if you have any questions.
  • Understand which coverage limitations you are ok with and which ones you are not. Then request changes.

You Want An Insurance Program That Will:

  • Respond when a loss occurs.
  • Having an agent who will respond to your questions and help you when you need it.
  • It is priced correctly for the risk you have.

There is no one-size-fits-all insurance policy.

Insurance is not a product. It is a promise and a trusted relationship. Here at Reichley Insurance Agency, we are not going to sell you something you don’t need. We want to talk to you, determine your needs, and get you covered at the right price.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts, close to home, right here in Beavercreek, OH – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

 

 

 

 

risk

Is Insurance Your Only Option?

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We will be the first to say that certain types of personal insurance may not always be best for your needs. We believe each client is unique and therefore requires unique insurance solutions. But there is more to the process.

First, you and your agent need to talk about what your risks and goals are regarding the issues. Your agent should be able to help you identify all the risks and, only then, provide solutions.

Here is a good example

We recently had a client buy an older used car for one of their kids. After we reviewed the ACV value for the client, we recommended that he not purchase collision coverage. We told him to use the savings to put into an auto replacement fund. This will save the client hundreds of dollars over time.

Here are other kinds of insurance you may not need

  1. Universal life – Typically, term life insurance is going to be a better fit for you. Term life costs less, and you can take the premium difference and invest it yourself.
  2. Extended warranty plans – These are never a good idea. The warranty premiums are mostly commissions paid to the salesperson. Some credit card companies offer this protection if you make the purchase with their cards.
  3. Pet Insurance – Pet insurance usually is very limited in coverage and very costly.
  4. Insurance on outstanding credit card balances – This type of insurance can be costly, and there are a lot of loopholes to go through before any benefits are paid.
  5. Mini Storage Insurance – As long as you have homeowners or renters insurance, you don’t need to buy special insurance. Most policies have automatic coverage for property away from your primary premises. Call us for details and limitations.
  6. Rental car collision insurance – If you already have collision insurance from your personal auto insurance, you don’t need to buy additional insurance from the rental company.  However, opting for additional coverage could be worth the price if you don’t have collision insurance. But if you’re charging the rental to your credit card, it’s also possible to get coverage through them.
  7. Mortgage life insurance – This protects the bank, not you. If you were to die, the payout goes to the bank, not your family. You are better off buying term life insurance.
  8. Flight Insurance – This is completely unnecessary, as airline accidents are rare, and your life insurance policy should already provide coverage in the event of a catastrophe.
  9. While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts close to home, right here in Beavercreek, OH – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

 

risk

The Traits of A Good Insurance Agent

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  1. Honesty

Selling insurance is about giving customers, businesses, and individuals solutions to their risk issues. Misrepresenting the facts, or trying to sell a policy, does more harm than good to their customers. A good agent will not try to sell anything; they will listen and become a problem solver first. Then and only then might insurance solutions or options be provided.

  1. Responsive Client Service

When clients phones or emails, a timely answer is essential because they need the information to make decisions. When a client spends their money, they have a right to feel secure and content during the course of the business relationship. Through actively listening to and empathizing with our valued clients, agents can find success

  1. Industry Knowledge

Selling a policy is only one aspect of what it means to be an insurance agent. Agents must be able to provide a thorough understanding of all facets of the products and services they sell, as well as how each client’s situation may be addressed. The agent should be trained in all aspects of the risk management process.

  1. Community Involvement

Being a respectable member of the community is a must for running a successful insurance agency. We believe in fostering relationships and giving our neighbors access to resources because we are local leaders. To make the neighborhood a better and safer place to live, we collaborate with customers and businesses.

 

 

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts, close to home, right here in Beavercreek, OH – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

risk

Our Mid-Year Insurance Outlook

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It is essential to understand how the insurance market works and what the future looks like. In doing so, business owners and families can better plan for the future. Here is our brief overview of the insurance market as of August 2022.

The widespread use of vaccines and the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions in 2021 served as significant accelerators for economic recovery by restoring public and corporate confidence. But that has been changed by increased inflation in 2022. But the conflict between inflation and  COVID-19 is far from ended, and there will probably always be some ambiguity. Could this harm the outlook for the insurance sector in 2022 and 2023?

According to our research, insurers anticipate more rapid growth in the coming year despite lingering COVID-19 worries.  However, non-pandemic issues with legislation, talent, supply chain issues, increased construction and auto repair costs, sustainability, and changing consumer preferences could provide roadblocks, causing premium increases.

On a more fundamental level, many carriers may think about taking action to increase stakeholder trust to increase customer retention and profitability. Greater transparency in the way insurers gather and use personal data may help to achieve this. They can also take a more proactive approach to find all-encompassing answers to pressing social issues, such as reducing the financial toll of upcoming pandemics and filling coverage gaps for natural disasters.

There are many actions people and businesses can take to minimize the impact of premiums or rate increases. These include.

  • Increasing deductibles.
  • Have your agent perform an insurance audit of your insurance program.
  • Make sure your property values are correct.
  • Considering self-insurance where prudent.

Give us a call for more information.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts, close to home, right here in Beavercreek, OH – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.

partners in risk

Is There Such A Thing As Normal Risk?

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2020 and 2022 have shown us that the normal we have known is no more. Business owners must think outside the box when it comes to their risk and insurance programs. This is a call to agents to educate themselves and create meaningful relationships and to customers to look for an agent who creates value, not just provides low-cost insurance.

It is important that agents and customers look at the future of risk and design a program that addresses the risks ahead. Buying a standard insurance product may not manage the changing risk profile.

Our Top Risk Issues For 2022 And Beyond

  • Product reinvention will be accelerated if supply chain and inventory management risks are sustained.
  • Electric and self-driving vehicles will continue to emerge for both business and personal use.
  • COVID-19’s disruption of supply networks is expected to last well into 2022. However, with the reinvention of traditional freight and cargo insurance products, the related business disruptions and frustrations may be alleviated.
  • Cyber Risk. It’s understandable that small business owners are concerned about cybersecurity threats; in 2021, 46% of cybersecurity breaches will affect small enterprises.
  • More people will start home businesses, requiring a review of personal insurance coverage. This will require adjustment in what kind of coverage people and local businesses may require.
  • Finding talent to fill key positions. Almost every company is dealing with talent shortages and the need to invest in technological infrastructure and capabilities to effectively engage remote employees, manage distributed workforces, and serve consumers on their terms.

Recommended Actions

  • Start the renewal process early with your agent.
  • Collect precise information on your risk with your broker. This will help you stand out in the crowd.
  • Use an agent that desires to build a relationship and provide education on your risk and how best to manage it.
  • For commercial accounts, address loss control advice and talk to your underwriters about your efforts. Underwriters appreciate proactive loss management because it displays a commitment to risk mitigation.

Many business owners place a high priority on acquiring the correct insurance, yet most of them forget to examine their policies regularly. Small businesses need to stay in touch with their independent agents more than ever before, and they can rely on their knowledge to assist them in overcoming business risks.

partners in risk

The Value of Giving Back In Business

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The truth of being a business owner is that juggling day-to-day operations with long-term objectives consumes the majority of your time and energy. It’s easy to let giving back fall by the wayside if you don’t have a solid plan in place to truly incorporate it into your business strategy. Do you recall your first experience sharing as a child? Most parents educate their children that they must share their toys if they want others to play with them. This is a crucial lesson that we often overlook as adults, and it applies to a wide range of situations.

There are so many ways to incorporate this idea into your business. It does not have to be giving a lot of money. Often giving of your experience or expertise can add significant value to others.

Here are a few ideas

  • Find ways to offer your services pro bono. Maybe as an agent, you can offer to review a local business’s insurance without any obligation on the business’s part.
  • Be willing to speak at the local Chamber or other nonprofit.
  • Engage your team. Creating a giving culture at work has its advantages regarding employee engagement. It also gives employees a greater sense of ownership in the organization they work for.
  • Join a nonprofit board. Nonprofits are continuously looking for successful executives to join their boards of directors. A position like this allows you to control the organization’s course while also allowing you to leverage your network to collect funding for it.

The potential to make a difference is the most basic benefit of donating or setting aside money for community welfare. There’s nothing like seeing your neighborhood or community improve to make it a better place to live. Communities that can improve their lives will be able to make a good contribution to the economy as a whole.

 

partners in risk

Proven Ways To Build Strong Insurance Relationships

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The partnership between an insurance agent, an insurer, and a client is one of the most important in the industry. Carriers and the underwriters create policies and take on risks for insureds, whereas brokers assist their clients in finding the best insurance policies and carriers for their needs.

The independent agent and broker are the industry’s backbone. They are the primary channel of distribution for commercial property and casualty insurance.

How To Build And Maintain Strong Relationships

Don’t base your relationship on technology

Technology is good and effective tool for both the agent and their clients. But don’t make technology so important that any personal communication is lost.

Follow Through

Agents should build strong relationships with their clients by following through on their commitments and being communicative in the event that something changes, in addition to offering services and advice that help insureds avoid losses. If you say you’re going to do something, you must do it. If you can’t do it, you say, ‘I’m not going to be able to meet the commitment,’ and then you set a new expectation.

Focus on more than just pricing

When it comes to building a strong relationship with insurance agents, one thing that stands out above all else is the need to add value that goes beyond offering competitive insurance prices. When comparing options today, insureds should look for an agent who will not only provide the coverages they require but will also serve as a risk management partner.

Be Consistent

Consistency is essential in all aspects of communication and service. It establishes a pattern that customers can expect, which helps to highlight your value proposition and enhance the customer experience. Simply personalize interactions by framing conversations and messaging in less “scripted” ways. According to one survey, most marketers fail to personalize communication beyond digital channels. Get more customer-specific the next time you pick up the phone. It should contribute to the relationship’s strengthening.

The customer, regardless of the insurance company, ultimately looks to you, the agent, for advice, service, and responsiveness. Regardless of the shifting strategies and focuses in today’s insurance markets, remember to prioritize your customer relationships first, and you’ll find yourself building a book of business that will last for a long time.

 

partners in risk

The Importance of an Annual Insurance Review

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It is critical that every homeowner or business undertakes an annual insurance review. Regular reviews are equally essential to ensuring that your policy continues to be a good fit for your coverage needs and budget.

In a single year, a lot can happen that can have a significant impact on your insurance costs, coverage options, and limitations, among other things. Among these are the following:

  • Marrying or divorcing
  • Children graduating from high school/empty nest/child off to college
  • Beginning a new job
  • Recruitment of new employees
  • Purchase new commercial equipment
  • Establishing a new enterprise
  • Accepting elderly parents into your home
  • The acquisition or receipt of an ostentatious gift
  • Your immediate family member has died
  • Mortgage repayment

Is this to say that I must immediately contact my insurance agent whenever I purchase new furniture or a family member moves in for six months? Not always. While more significant changes (such as marriage, divorce, or the purchase of a new car) should be reported immediately, items such as upgrading your home entertainment system or upgrading your sound system can be reported during your annual insurance review.

While the massive national agencies spend millions on television ads and offer barebones policies, they do not know you. When your needs change or your situation complicates, you don’t want an automated phone tree or cold cyber-agent. You want to talk to compassionate, honest insurance experts – that’s our team. You shouldn’t have to spend hours researching and comparing policies. Let the specialists at Reichley guide you through the complex insurance industry.

Call today to alleviate the worry and get covered – (937) 429-0655.