(2692,1,'2022-08-15 14:50:56','2022-08-15 14:50:56','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2691,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Money-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2691\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We love Halloween. What other night can you dress like a hot dog and eat all your favorite childhood sweets without having someone judge you? The problem is that we may love it a little&nbsp;<em>too&nbsp;</em>much.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to a the National Retail Federation, Americans plan to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $10.14&nbsp;billion—that’s “billion” with a “b”—on Halloween this year.<sup>&nbsp;</sup>That means the average American will drop about $102&nbsp;on the holiday.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’re tight on cash, that amount might sound scary. But the good news is: It doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to spend a zombie arm and a leg to have a memorable time. Try these seven tricks to&nbsp;stick like Laffy Taffy to your Halloween budget.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>1. Costumes</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The best part of Halloween (other than candy) is the costumes, hands down—from adorable babies dressed as koalas to the entire family decked out as the Addams Family. Costumes are all fun and games . . . until you realize what a money suck they are. Instead of buying a $40 Ninja Turtles costume for each of your four boys or sewing some rough-looking versions from scratch, turn hunting for your costume into a family game.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s how it works: Head to the consignment shop or thrift store with your brood and&nbsp;give each child an envelope with five or 10 bucks inside<strong>.</strong>&nbsp;Split into teams to pick out a costume or find materials to make a custom creation. When time’s up and purchases are made, head home and have the kids dig into their closets for the rest of their getups. There’s nothing like a happy homemade Halloween!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Don’t forget, just like kids grow out of clothes, they also grow out of their Halloween costumes. Check with your friends and neighbors to see if they’ll let you borrow a costume this year. Don’t drop big money for a brand-new Hulk outfit when little Timmy down the street has one your kid can wear for the night.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>2. Decorations</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For some people, Halloween is a&nbsp;<em>really</em>&nbsp;big deal (you know who you are). And for those guys, a single pumpkin on the front stoop just isn’t going to cut it. But if you’re not careful, buying Halloween décor year after year can really take a bite out of your budget. Pro tip: If you need your buck to stretch further, hit up your local&nbsp;dollar store&nbsp;for decorations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And if you really do go all out for Halloween, start saving and reusing your decorations. Since Halloween is almost as big of a deal as Christmas at your house, then prep for it the same way. Instead of trashing your decorations at the end of the season, start collecting items to reuse each year. Store all your ghouls and goblins in a reusable tub once the season is over. Now figuring out where to keep the giant headless horseman—that’s on you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>3. Candy</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Just because you live in a neighborhood that gets carloads of kids every year doesn’t mean you have to buy barrels of candy. It’s no secret that candy is pricey stuff. If you already know you’ll be visited by 50–100 princesses and superheroes, skip the gourmet chocolate bars and&nbsp;grab a bulk bag of assorted candy instead. Be on the lookout for coupons and any two-for-one deals, but don’t feel like you have to get the brand-name stuff either. Just buy what you can afford (even if that’s knock-offs of Dum Dums and Smarties).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And when the candy is gone, it’s gone. You know those kids are getting&nbsp;<em>a lot</em>&nbsp;of sugar, so you’re not really cheating the latecomers. They’ll be fine, really. Early birds get the gummy worms! Oh, and once you run out of candy, turn the lights off. There’s no need to get egged!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One last tip when it comes to candy—keep track of how many trick-or-treaters actually visit your house so you can plan for next year. There’s no need to overbuy and get stuck eating all the leftovers (unless that’s what you were hoping for).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>4. Pumpkins</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For something that turns into a pile of moldy mush a few weeks after you buy it, a pumpkin sure costs a pretty penny. And it’s kind of like potato chips: You can’t have just one. Oh, no. Because of Instagram and Pinterest, we now think we need no less than a variety of twenty pumpkins spread across our porches, decks and tables.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Don’t get us wrong—pumpkins are fun. But it’s way too easy to overspend on these soon-to-be rotting gourds. So, what’s a pumpkin lover to do? Easy. Give yourself a pumpkin budget. We’re serious. Let the kids each pick one or cap yourself at $15—whatever you need to do to keep the spending in check.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Going to the pumpkin patch is a blast, but don’t buy your pumpkins there if you’re looking to save some money. Instead, just go get pumpkins from the grocery store and be on the lookout for two-for-one deals that pop up. Because when it all boils down to it, a pumpkin is a pumpkin.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>5. Greeting Cards</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Wait. Does anyone really send out Halloween greeting cards? When was the last time&nbsp;<em>you&nbsp;</em>got a “Have a Batty Halloween” card in your mailbox? Nearly 45% of those surveyed by NRF this year said they planned on buying Halloween greeting cards, so there—somebody’s doing it.<a href=\"https://nrf.com/topics/holiday-and-seasonal-trends/halloween/halloween-data-center\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><sup>2</sup></a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It goes without saying that you can make a boo-tiful greeting card without having to drop $6 on a glitter-bomb skeleton card for your favorite niece. Use some cardstock and get creative by drawing all kinds of spooky characters. Don’t forget to tape on a little something sweet too! If you have your heart set on a store-bought card, stroll the aisle looking for the two-for-a-dollar kind. But remember, you don’t&nbsp;<em>have&nbsp;</em>to send a card either.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>6. Fall Activities</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are heaps of harvest and Halloween festivals this time of year—and they’re usually free!&nbsp;Plus, there are plenty of other budget-friendly activities sure to please everyone in the family. Spend the day walking around a farm or enjoying a hayride. Take a drive out of town to look at the changing colors of the leaves. Go apple picking or enjoy a fall festival. Take advantage of what’s already going on in your church or community, and budget a little extra for any special food or rides. Festive fall food can really add up if you’re not careful, so save some cash by packing a picnic and a comfy quilt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>7. Family Traditions</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Carve out a weekend or two for some quality time together this fall—you don’t even have to leave your house! If you’re tired of carving pumpkins or dressing up, why not start some new, budget-friendly traditions?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How about a fall-themed cooking day?&nbsp;Try caramel apples, pumpkin pie and jack-o’-lantern pizzas (use the pepperonis and veggies to make the face). Or have everyone vote for their favorite fall movies, then hunker down on the couch to get cozy and eat all those tasty treats you cooked up. And if you’d rather be outside enjoying the leaves, head over to the park for a scavenger hunt and enjoy the scenery while you search.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/5-money-saving-tricks-for-happier-halloween\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Have a Happy Halloween Without Scaring Your Budget','','inherit','closed','closed','','2649-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 14:50:56','2022-08-15 14:50:56','',2649,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2692',0,'revision','',0),(2693,1,'2022-08-15 14:51:40','2022-08-15 14:51:40','','Money-2','','inherit','closed','closed','','money-2-6','','','2022-08-15 14:51:40','2022-08-15 14:51:40','',2651,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Money-2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2694,1,'2022-08-15 14:51:45','2022-08-15 14:51:45','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2693,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Money-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2693\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Start right now. The younger you are, the more time your money has to grow.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A class titled “Finance for Young Adults” usually isn’t part of a high school curriculum—an unfortunate oversight that leaves many young people clueless about how to manage their money, apply for credit, and stay out of debt. Although some progress has been made—23 U.S. states required a personal finance course and 25 required an economics course for high school graduation in 2022—there are still large knowledge gaps in this age group.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-2\">Basic economic and financial education&nbsp;in high schools should help at least a segment of the next generation, but young adults in the crucial post-high school years also need to master core lessons about money. Let’s take a look at eight of the most important rules to get your finances on the best possible track. Never forget that the younger you are, the more time your savings and investments have to grow—so the sooner, the better.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Taking the time to learn a few basic financial rules can help you build a healthy financial future.</li><li>Learning to prepare your annual tax return yourself could save you money.</li><li>Start an emergency fund and pay into it every month, even if it is a small amount.</li><li>Saving for retirement is an integral&nbsp;part of any financial plan, and starting young gives you the maximum time to grow your nest egg.&nbsp;</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">8 Essential Financial Rules for Young Adults</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\"><strong>1. Practice Self-Control: Pay With Cash, Not Credit</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">If you’re lucky, your parents taught you self-control when you were a kid. If not, keep in mind that the sooner you learn the essential life skill of delaying gratification, the sooner you’ll keep your&nbsp;personal finances&nbsp;in order as a matter of habit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">One of the most important ways to exercise self-control with your finances is also very simple. If you wait until you’ve saved the money for whatever it is you need, then you can put all everyday purchases on a&nbsp;debit card&nbsp;instead of a&nbsp;credit card. A debit card deducts the money from your checking account immediately (with no additional fees), but a credit card—unless you can afford to pay off the balance in full every month—is actually a high-interest loan. If you get into the dangerous habit of putting all your purchases on credit cards, then not only will you be paying interest on a pair of jeans or a box of cereal, but you could also still be paying for those items in 10 years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">Credit cards are certainly useful; some offer great rewards; paying them off on time helps you&nbsp;build a good credit score. However, it is essential to use them to your advantage—not to the advantage of the lender who profits from your bad habit of racking up interest-bearing balances. Keep credit cards for emergencies only—and always pay your balance in full when the bill arrives. Also, don’t apply for every credit offer you receive—and never carry more cards than you can keep track of.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\"><strong>2. Beware of Bad Advice: Educate Yourself</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">If you don’t learn to manage your money, then other people will find ways to mismanage it for you. Some of these people could have bad intentions, like unscrupulous financial planners. Others may be well-meaning, but not fully informed about your circumstances, like relatives who make blanket recommendations about the importance of owning your own house—even though the only way you could afford to buy right now would be taking on a risky&nbsp;adjustable-rate mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Instead of relying on random advice from unqualified people, take charge of your own financial future and read a few&nbsp;basic books on personal finance. Once you’re armed with knowledge, don’t let anyone get you off track—whether it’s a significant other who siphons off your bank account or friends who want you to go out and blow tons of money with them every weekend.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\"><strong>3. Learn to Budget: Know Where Your Money Goes</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Once you’ve read a few&nbsp;personal finance books, you will understand the importance of two rules that every personal finance advisor keeps repeating. Never let your expenses exceed your income, and always keep your eye on where your money goes. The best way to do this is by&nbsp;budgeting&nbsp;and creating a&nbsp;personal spending plan&nbsp;to track the money you have coming in and the money you have going out.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">Once you actually start tracking how you spend your money, it can be a valuable wake-up call to realize how the cost of buying coffee from a barista every morning adds up over the course of a month. Unlike a salary increase, which is in the hands of your boss to a large extent, small changes in your everyday expenses, like making coffee at home, are completely under your control—and they can have as big an impact on your financial situation as getting a raise.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\">Keeping your larger monthly expenses—like rent—as low as possible can save you even more money over time. Even if you can swing an amenity-packed apartment right now, choosing a simpler place—and banking the cash you save—could put you in a position to own a condominium or a house much sooner than your friends who are paying high rent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Tip: Understanding how money works is the first step toward making your money work for you.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\"><strong>4. Pay Yourself First: Start an Emergency Fund</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">One of the most-repeated mantras in personal finance is “pay yourself first,” which means saving money for emergencies and for your future. This simple practice not only keeps you out of trouble financially, but it can also help you sleep better at night. Even on the&nbsp;tightest budget—no matter how much you owe in student loans or credit card debt, no matter how low your salary is—there are ways to put at least some of your money into an&nbsp;emergency fund&nbsp;every month.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">An added benefit is that, if you get into the habit of&nbsp;socking away money into savings&nbsp;automatically, then you will stop treating savings as optional—and start treating it as a required monthly expense. Before long, you’ll have more than just emergency money saved up—you’ll have retirement money, vacation money, or even money for a down payment on a home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">If you put your cash into a standard savings account, it will be secure and available whenever you need it. However, that kind of account will earn almost no interest—which means that inflation will erode the value of your savings over time. Instead, you can put your fund in a&nbsp;high-yield savings account, short-term&nbsp;certificate of deposit&nbsp;(CD), or&nbsp;money market account. Just make sure the rules of your savings vehicle permit you to get to your money quickly in an emergency.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\"><strong>5. Start Saving for Retirement Now</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">Just as your parents sent you off to kindergarten to prepare you for success in a world that seemed eons away, you need to&nbsp;plan for your retirement&nbsp;well in advance—that is, right now.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">An excellent way to get started on the right path is to educate yourself about the power (some say magic) of compound interest. Once you do, the wisdom of starting your retirement fund as soon as possible will be undeniable. The simplest way to think of&nbsp;compound interest&nbsp;is as “interest on interest,” which means that you will earn interest not only on the&nbsp;principal&nbsp;(the money you put in), but also on the&nbsp;interest&nbsp;(the money the bank pays you for holding your principal). By making your money grow at a much faster rate than&nbsp;simple interest, which is calculated only on the principal, compound interest super-charges your savings—especially over time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-40\">Why start saving for your retirement&nbsp;in your 20s?&nbsp;Again, because of the way compound interest works, the sooner you start saving, the less principal you have to invest to end up with the amount that you need to retire. Here’s an example: You start investing in the market at $100 a month, averaging a positive return of 1% a month (which is 12% a year), compounded monthly over 40 years. Your friend, who is the same age, doesn’t begin investing until 30 years later and invests $1,000 a month for 10 years, also averaging 1% a month (12% a year), compounded monthly. After 10 years, your friend will have saved around $230,000. Your retirement account will be a bit over $1.17 million.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-42\">Company-sponsored retirement plans are a particularly great choice. Not only do you get to put in&nbsp;pretax dollars&nbsp;(which lowers the income tax you pay), but many companies will also match part of your contribution, which is like getting free money. Contribution limits tend to be higher for&nbsp;401(k)s&nbsp;than for&nbsp;individual retirement accounts&nbsp;(IRAs), but any employer-sponsored plan that you’re fortunate enough to be offered is a step closer to financial health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-44\">If you don’t have access to a company plan, don’t despair. Those who are self-employed have a range of options for&nbsp;setting up retirement plans. Others can open their own IRAs, allowing for a set amount of money each month to be withdrawn from their savings account and contributed directly into their IRA. Even if it’s only a small sum, it will eventually add up to something substantial.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-46\"><strong>6. Get a Grip on Taxes</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">Before you even get your first paycheck, it’s important to understand how income tax works. When a company offers you a starting salary, you need to calculate whether that salary will give you enough money after taxes to meet your financial obligations—and, with smart planning, meet your savings and retirement goals as well.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-49\">Fortunately, there are plenty of online calculators that take the grunt work out of determining what your after-tax salary will be, such as PaycheckCity.com.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-49\">These calculators will chart your&nbsp;gross pay&nbsp;(total earnings), how much goes to taxes, and your&nbsp;net pay&nbsp;(earnings after taxes and other deductions, also known as take-home pay). For example, in 2022, an annual salary of $35,000 in New York City would leave you with around $28,270 after federal and state taxes (without exemptions)—about $2,356 a month. (Then you need to consider city taxes as well.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-51\">In another scenario, perhaps you’re considering leaving one job for another to get a salary increase. Before you do this, you’ll need to understand how your&nbsp;marginal tax rate—the tax rate you pay on additional income—will affect your raise. In the U.S., low-income earners are taxed at a lower rate than higher-income earners—the higher your salary, the higher the tax rate. For example, a salary increase from $35,000 a year to $41,000 a year looks like an extra $6,000 per year ($500 per month)—but the tax rate will be higher, so it will only give you an extra $4,227 (around $352 per month). (The amount will vary depending on taxes in your state of residence.) If you’re considering a move, keep that in mind.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-53\">Finally, take the time to learn to do your own taxes. Unless you have a complicated financial situation, it’s not that hard to do, and you won’t have to pay a tax professional.&nbsp;Tax software&nbsp;has made doing your own taxes much easier than it used to be—and software also ensures that you can file online.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-55\"><strong>7. Guard Your Health</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-56\">If paying monthly health insurance premiums seems impossible, what will you do if you have to go to the emergency room—where a single visit for a minor injury like a broken bone can cost thousands of dollars? If you’re uninsured, don’t wait another day to apply for&nbsp;health insurance. It’s easier than you think to wind up in a car accident or trip and fall down a flight of stairs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-58\">If you’re employed, then your employer may offer health insurance, including&nbsp;high-deductible health plans&nbsp;that save on premiums and qualify you for a&nbsp;Health Savings Account&nbsp;(HSA). If you need to buy insurance on your own, investigate the federal and state plans offered by the&nbsp;Health Insurance Marketplace&nbsp;of the&nbsp;Affordable Care Act&nbsp;(ACA). Look at quotes from different insurance providers to find the lowest rates. Research all your options to see if you qualify for a subsidy based on your income. If you have health issues, know that a more expensive plan could be the most cost-effective in the end.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-60\">If you’re under age 26, then your best choice may be to stay on your parents’ health insurance—an option that has been allowed since the 2010 passage of the ACA. If you can manage it, offer to reimburse your parents for the cost of keeping you on their plan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-62\">It also makes excellent financial sense to build staying healthy into your daily routine as soon as possible. Common-sense health maintenance is very straightforward, and you\'ve heard it all before. Eat fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, don\'t smoke, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and drive defensively. Not only will you feel better physically right now, but these behaviors can also save you on medical bills down the road.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Important: Since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in U.S. health care and health insurance, the U.S government has been leveraging the&nbsp;American Rescue Plan&nbsp;(ARP), a $1.9-trillion stimulus package signed into law in March 2021, to expand health care coverage and reduce costs. The plan also includes incentives for states that have not participated in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion to do so, potentially extending healthcare coverage to over 3 million uninsured people.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-66\"><strong>8. Protect Your Wealth</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-67\">To ensure that your hard-earned money doesn’t vanish in an emergency, you should take steps right now to protect it. Here are some smart moves to think about, even if you can’t afford them all right away:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-69\">If you rent, get&nbsp;renter\'s insurance&nbsp;to protect the contents of your home from loss due to burglary or fire. Read the policy carefully to see what’s covered and what isn’t.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-71\">Disability insurance&nbsp;protects your greatest financial asset—the ability to earn an income—by providing you with a steady income if you ever become unable to work for an extended period of time due to illness or injury.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-73\">If you want&nbsp;help managing your money, find a fee-only financial planner to provide unbiased advice. Unlike a commission-based financial advisor, who earns money when you sign up with the investments that their company backs, a fee-only planner has no personal incentive to give you financial advice that might not be in your best interest. (Even if a commission-based advisor gives you solid advice, they still always have a divided loyalty—to their company’s bottom line and to you.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-75\">You should also protect your money from taxes—which is easy to do with a retirement account—and from inflation—which you can do by making sure that your money is earning interest. As you decide how to protect your savings, learn everything you can about relevant&nbsp;investment vehicles, because they all bring both different degrees of risk and different potential for growth. For example, high-interest savings accounts, money market funds, and CDs are relatively free of risk; your money is safe, but it will grow slowly. On the other hand, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are much riskier; the value of your portfolio could fall, but the potential for growth is much greater as well.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How Do I Choose a Financial Advisor?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">An excellent choice for a young adult is a fee-only financial planner. Unlike a commission-based advisor, who earns a commission if they sign you up with their company\'s investment plans, a fee-only planner has no personal incentive beyond your best interest, so they have no reason not to give you unbiased advice.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Why Is Compound Interest So Powerful?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Compound interest is one of the most powerful forces in finance because it grows your money exponentially, which means it can super-charge your savings, especially over time. The magic of compound interest for your retirement account is that it is interest on interest—literally. You earn interest not only on the principal (the money you put in), but also on the interest (the money the bank pays you for holding your principal).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Why Did My Paycheck Shrink After My Raise?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The higher your salary, the higher your tax rate. If you just got a raise or took a new job at a higher salary, the change in the marginal tax rate on the additional income will definitely affect your paycheck. For example, if a salary increase of $6,000 per year bumps you up into a higher tax bracket, the percentage of your income that goes to taxes bumps up as well—which will make your paycheck smaller than expected. If you’re considering a move to a more expensive area to accept a higher salary, keep that in mind.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-83\">The Bottom Line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-84\">Remember, you don’t need an MBA in finance or even specialized training to become an expert at&nbsp;managing your finances. Following these eight basic rules can put you on the path to financial security, which is the foundation that will allow you to build the rest of your dreams.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/articles/younginvestors/08/eight-tips.asp\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','8 Financial Tips for Young Adults','','inherit','closed','closed','','2651-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 14:51:45','2022-08-15 14:51:45','',2651,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2694',0,'revision','',0),(2695,1,'2022-08-15 14:57:21','2022-08-15 14:57:21','','Money-3','','inherit','closed','closed','','money-3-4','','','2022-08-15 14:57:21','2022-08-15 14:57:21','',2653,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Money-3.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2696,1,'2022-08-15 14:57:26','2022-08-15 14:57:26','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2695,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Money-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2695\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages: An Overview</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Fixed-rate mortgages and&nbsp;adjustable-rate mortgages&nbsp;(ARMs) are the two primary&nbsp;mortgage&nbsp;types. While the marketplace offers numerous varieties within these two categories, the first step when&nbsp;shopping for a mortgage&nbsp;is determining which of the two main&nbsp;loan&nbsp;types best suits your needs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>A&nbsp;fixed-rate&nbsp;mortgage charges a set&nbsp;rate of interest&nbsp;that does not change throughout the life of the loan.</li><li>The&nbsp;initial interest rate&nbsp;on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is set&nbsp;below the market&nbsp;rate on a comparable fixed-rate loan, and then the rate rises (or possibly lowers) as time goes on.</li><li>ARMs are typically more complicated than fixed-rate mortgages.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Fixed-Rate Mortgages</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">A&nbsp;fixed-rate&nbsp;mortgage&nbsp;charges a set&nbsp;rate of interest&nbsp;that remains unchanged throughout the life of the loan. Although the amount of&nbsp;principal&nbsp;and&nbsp;interest&nbsp;paid each month varies from payment to payment, the total payment remains the same, which makes budgeting easy for homeowners.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The partial&nbsp;amortization&nbsp;schedule below demonstrates the way in which the amounts put toward principal and interest alter over the life of the mortgage. In this example, the mortgage term is 30 years, the principal is $100,000, and the interest rate is 6%.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2655,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2655\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">As you can see, the payments made during the initial years of a mortgage consist primarily of interest payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">The main advantage of a&nbsp;fixed-rate loan&nbsp;is that the borrower is protected from sudden and potentially significant increases in monthly mortgage payments if interest rates rise. Fixed-rate mortgages are easy to understand and vary little from&nbsp;lender&nbsp;to lender. The downside to fixed-rate mortgages is that when interest rates are high, qualifying for a loan is more difficult&nbsp;because the payments are less affordable. A&nbsp;mortgage calculator&nbsp;can show you the impact of different rates on your monthly payment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Although the rate of interest is fixed, the total amount of interest you’ll pay depends on the mortgage term. Traditional lending institutions offer fixed-rate mortgages for a variety of terms, the most common of which are 30, 20, and 15 years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">The 30-year mortgage is the most popular choice because it offers the lowest monthly payment. However, the trade-off for that low payment is a significantly&nbsp;higher overall cost, because the extra decade, or more, in the term is devoted primarily to paying interest. The monthly payments for shorter-term mortgages are higher so that the principal is repaid in a shorter time frame. Also, shorter-term mortgages offer a lower interest rate, which allows for a larger amount of principal repaid with each mortgage payment. Thus, shorter term mortgages cost significantly less overall.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-25\">Adjustable-Rate Mortgages</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">The interest rate for an&nbsp;adjustable-rate mortgage&nbsp;is a&nbsp;variable one. The&nbsp;initial interest rate&nbsp;on an ARM is set&nbsp;below the market&nbsp;rate on a comparable fixed-rate loan, and then the rate rises as time goes on. If the ARM is held long enough, the interest rate will surpass the going rate for fixed-rate loans.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">ARMs&nbsp;have a fixed period of time during which the initial interest rate remains constant, after which the interest rate adjusts at a pre-arranged frequency. The fixed-rate period can vary significantly—anywhere from one month to 10 years; shorter adjustment periods generally carry lower initial interest rates. After the initial term, the loan resets, meaning there is a new interest rate based on current market rates. This is then the rate until the next reset, which may be the following year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">ARM Terminology</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">ARMs are significantly more complicated than fixed-rate loans, so exploring the pros and cons requires an understanding of some basic terminology. Here are some concepts borrowers need to know before selecting an ARM:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Adjustment Frequency:&nbsp;</strong>This refers to the amount of time between interest-rate adjustments (e.g. monthly, yearly, etc.).</li><li><strong>Adjustment Indexes:&nbsp;</strong>Interest-rate adjustments are tied to a&nbsp;benchmark. Sometimes this is the interest rate on a type of asset, such as&nbsp;certificates of deposit&nbsp;or&nbsp;Treasury bills. It could also be a specific index, such as the&nbsp;Secured Overnight Financing Rate&nbsp;(SOFR), the&nbsp;Cost of Funds Index&nbsp;or the&nbsp;London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).</li><li><strong>Margin:&nbsp;</strong>When you sign your loan, you agree to pay a rate that is a certain percentage higher than the adjustment index. For example, your adjustable rate may be the rate of the one-year T-bill plus 2%. That extra 2% is called the margin.</li><li><strong>Caps:&nbsp;</strong>This refers to the limit on the amount the interest rate can increase each adjustment period. Some&nbsp;ARMs&nbsp;also offer caps on the total monthly payment. These loans, also known as&nbsp;negative amortization&nbsp;loans, keep payments low; however, these payments may cover only a portion of the&nbsp;interest due. Unpaid interest becomes part of the principal. After years of paying the mortgage, your principal owed may be greater than the amount you initially borrowed.</li><li><strong>Ceiling:&nbsp;</strong>This is the highest that the adjustable interest rate is permitted to reach during the life of the loan.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">The biggest advantage of an ARM is that it is considerably cheaper than a&nbsp;fixed-rate mortgage, at least for the first three, five, or seven years.&nbsp;ARMs&nbsp;are also attractive because their low initial payments often enable the borrower to qualify for a larger loan and, in a falling-interest-rate environment, allow the borrower to enjoy lower interest rates (and lower payments) without the need to&nbsp;refinance&nbsp;the mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-37\">A borrower who chooses an ARM may save several hundred dollars a month for up to seven years, after which their costs are likely to rise. The new rate will be based on market rates, not the initial below-market rate. If you\'re very lucky, it may be lower depending on what the market rates are like at the time of the rate reset.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-39\">The ARM, however, can pose some significant downsides. With an ARM, your monthly payment may change frequently over the life of the loan. And if you take on a large loan, you could be in trouble when interest rates rise: Some&nbsp;ARMs&nbsp;are structured so that interest rates can nearly double in just a few years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Indeed, adjustable-rate mortgages went out of&nbsp;favor&nbsp;with many financial planners after the&nbsp;subprime mortgage meltdown&nbsp;of 2008, which ushered in an era of&nbsp;foreclosures&nbsp;and&nbsp;short sales. Borrowers faced sticker shock when their&nbsp;ARMs&nbsp;adjusted, and their payments skyrocketed. Fortunately, since then government regulations and&nbsp;legislation&nbsp;have been instituted to&nbsp;increase&nbsp;the&nbsp;oversight that transformed a housing bubble into a global financial crisis. The&nbsp;Consumer Financial Protection Bureau&nbsp;(CFPB) has been preventing predatory mortgage practices that hurt the consumer. Lenders are lending to borrowers who are likely to repay their loans.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Important: ARMs are considerably cheaper than&nbsp;fixed-rate mortgages.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-45\">Which Loan Is Right for You?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-46\">When choosing a mortgage, you need to consider a wide range of personal factors and balance them with the economic realities of an ever-changing marketplace. Individuals’&nbsp;personal finances&nbsp;often experience periods of advance and decline, interest rates rise and fall, and the strength of the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;waxes and wanes. To put your loan selection into the context of these factors, consider the following questions:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-48\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>How large a mortgage payment can you afford today?</li><li>Could you still afford an ARM if interest rates rise?</li><li>How long do you intend to live on the&nbsp;property?</li><li>In what direction are interest rates heading, and do you anticipate that trend to continue?</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-50\">If you are considering an ARM, you should run the numbers to determine the worst-case scenario. If you can still afford it if the mortgage resets to the maximum cap in the future, an ARM will save you money every month. Ideally, you should use the savings compared to a fixed-rate mortgage to make extra principal payments each month, so that the total loan is smaller when the reset occurs, further lowering costs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-52\">If interest rates are high and expected to fall, an ARM will ensure that you get to take advantage of the drop, as you’re not locked into a particular rate. If interest rates are climbing or a steady, predictable payment is important to you, a fixed-rate mortgage may be the way to go.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-54\">Candidates for&nbsp;ARMs</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-55\"><strong>The Short-Term Homeowner</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-56\">An ARM may be an excellent choice if low payments in the&nbsp;near term&nbsp;are your primary requirement, or if you don’t plan to live in the property long enough for the rates to rise. As mentioned earlier, the fixed-rate period of an ARM varies, typically from one year to seven years, which is why an ARM might not make sense for people who plan to keep their home for more than that. However, if you know you are going to move within a short period, or you don’t plan to hold on to the house for decades to come, then an ARM is going to make a lot of sense.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-58\">Let’s say the interest-rate environment means you can take out a five-year ARM with an interest rate&nbsp;of 3.5%. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, in comparison, would give you an interest rate of 4.25%. If you plan to move before the five-year ARM resets, you are going to save a lot of money on interest.&nbsp;If, on the other hand,&nbsp;you ultimately decide to stay in the house longer, especially if rates are higher when your loan adjusts, then the mortgage is going to cost more than the fixed-rate loan would have. If, though, you are purchasing a home with an eye toward upgrading to a bigger home once you start a family—or you think you’ll be relocating for work—then an ARM may be right for you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-60\"><strong>The Bump-Up-in-Income Earner</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-61\">For people who have a stable income but don’t expect it to increase dramatically, a fixed-rate mortgage makes more sense. However, if you expect to see an increase in your income, going with an ARM could save you from paying a lot of interest over the long haul.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-63\">Let’s say you are looking for your first home and just graduated from medical or law school or earned an&nbsp;MBA. The chances are high that you are going to earn more in the coming years and will be able to afford the increased payments when your loan adjusts to a higher rate. In that case, an ARM will work for you. In another scenario, if you expect to start receiving money from a&nbsp;trust&nbsp;at a certain age, you could get an ARM that resets in the same year.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-65\"><strong>The Pay-It-Off Type</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-66\">Taking out an adjustable-rate mortgage is very attractive to&nbsp;mortgage borrowers who have, or will have, the&nbsp;cash&nbsp;to pay off the loan before the new interest rate kicks in. While that&nbsp;doesn’t include the vast majority of Americans, there are situations in which it may be possible to pull it off.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-68\">Take a borrower who is buying one house and selling another one at the same time. That person may be forced to purchase the new home while the old one is in contract and, as a result, will take out a one- or two-year ARM. Once the borrower has the proceeds from the sale, they can turn around to pay off the ARM with the proceeds from the home sale.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-70\">Another situation in which an ARM would make sense is if you can afford to accelerate the payments each month by enough to pay it off before it resets. Employing this strategy can be risky because life is unpredictable. While you may be able to afford to make accelerated payments now, if you get sick, lose your job, or the boiler goes, that may no longer be an option.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-72\">The Bottom Line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-73\">Regardless of the loan type you select, choosing carefully will help you avoid costly mistakes. One thing is for sure: Don’t go with the ARM because you think the lower monthly payment is the&nbsp;only&nbsp;way to afford that dream house. You may get a similar rate at the time of reset, but it is a serious gamble. It’s more prudent to search for a house with a smaller price tag instead.<br></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/mortgage/mortgage-rates/fixed-versus-adjustable-rate/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages: What\'s the Difference?','','inherit','closed','closed','','2653-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 14:57:26','2022-08-15 14:57:26','',2653,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2696',0,'revision','',0),(2697,1,'2022-08-15 14:58:12','2022-08-15 14:58:12','','Tech-tips','','inherit','closed','closed','','tech-tips-3','','','2022-08-15 14:58:12','2022-08-15 14:58:12','',2657,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tech-tips.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2698,1,'2022-08-15 14:58:29','2022-08-15 14:58:29','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2697,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tech-tips.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2697\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Technology is fascinating and confusing at the same time. It can help keep you organized, handle tedious chores automatically, and connect you globally. It can also cost you a lot of unnecessary dollars if you are not careful.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are tips based on the experience of other small business owners who have previously navigated a technology minefield filled with the latest and greatest.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Establish a Budget</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The first step in deciding which types of technology to invest in is putting together a budget. The newest gadgets and software run the gamut in price from a 99 cent app to a high-end scanner that costs thousands.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Set up a budget and stick to it. Base it on how much you can reasonably afford to invest. Having a fixed amount to work with will reduce the temptation of the newest add-on or gizmo.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Be Aware of the Full Cost.</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">New technology is the sum of the sticker price plus the cost of implementing it. Consider these points:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Does it need special installation?</li><li>Do you need a subscription to an online site to keep it updated?</li><li>Does it need ongoing maintenance?</li><li>Does it break down often?</li><li>Do you need to pay for training?</li><li>Are upgrades free or do you pay for them?</li><li>Are there data storage costs involved?</li><li>Do you need to buy additional software?</li><li>What accessories are essential?</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Fit the Technology to Your Needs</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Make sure the electronics you are thinking of investing in match your business lifestyle. If you constantly travel from customer to customer, bulky electronics are a bad investment. Think laptop or tablet, instead of a desktop. Do you really need to upgrade your server? Instead of buying the software yourself, would a Software-As-A-Service, or SaaS offering be more cost effective? Can you rely on the cloud?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Look for Compatibility and Security</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Make sure that new devices you purchase will work with your existing equipment. A great piece of Mac software will not do you any good in a Windows environment unless you buy additional software.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Is it secure? This is a very real hazard for a small business. Make sure that what you buy can be protected with the proper levels of security. Taking shortcuts with the cost of security could come back and severely damage your business.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Small Businesses Use</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A 2013 survey by the Small Business Owners Association listed these four items as essentials:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Desktop (87%)</li><li>Laptop (84%)</li><li>Smartphone (74%)</li><li>Landline (78%)</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Though the landline is something of a surprise, these rates show how important technology is for your small company. Start with the basics when you first invest in electronics and slowly add what you need.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Cloud Computing</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the survey mentioned, 43% of the owners polled had switched to cloud computing. In the last five years, cloud-based services have grown exponentially. This offers small businesses a number of benefits:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Your content and data can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection.</li><li>Since you do not have to install software, you do not have to buy updates or worry about getting the latest version.</li><li>Storage problems are solved.</li><li>Apps run on any device.</li><li>Backups are automatic.</li><li>Connections are secure.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Using cloud-based services offers simplicity and peace of mind, since you do not have to worry about storage and updates. You do not have to pay for software, but instead subscribe to it using a SaaS model.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Today, the right technology can help streamline your business and make life easier — if you buy the right type. Do your research when you look at what’s new and exciting on the market. Ask questions before you buy and stick to your budget.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://financialwellnesscenter.northwest.bank/small-business/business-management/article/selecting-the-right-technology-and-tools\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Selecting the Right Technology and Tools','','inherit','closed','closed','','2657-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 14:58:29','2022-08-15 14:58:29','',2657,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2698',0,'revision','',0),(2699,1,'2022-08-15 14:59:18','2022-08-15 14:59:18','','Retirement','','inherit','closed','closed','','retirement-2','','','2022-08-15 14:59:18','2022-08-15 14:59:18','',2660,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Retirement.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2700,1,'2022-08-15 14:59:21','2022-08-15 14:59:21','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2699,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Retirement.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2699\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you deposit into your 401(k), you\'re putting that money away for the future. But what happens if you need that cash now?&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The good news: You can access your 401(k) funds before you turn 59 ½, the IRA retirement age, through a process the IRS calls an \"early withdrawal.\" The bad news: An early withdrawal usually triggers a steep penalty in addition to taxes. You will also lose out on years of potential growth for your nest egg.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">However, there are exceptions to the rules — and strategies to avoid such dire consequences.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"401(k)-early-withdrawal-penalty\"><strong>401(k) early withdrawal penalty</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;401(k)&nbsp;is an employer-sponsored retirement plan. You make regular pre-tax contributions to it – that is, straight off the top of your paycheck — and the money within it grows tax-free.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Because these tax-advantaged accounts are meant to help you save for retirement, the IRS imposes strict rules about when and how you can withdraw your money. Primarily, you have to be at least 59 years and six months old.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Technically, anyone can withdraw funds at any time — or take a distribution, in IRS-speak — from their 401(k) before they hit that magic age. It\'s your money, after all.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But you may not get as much money as you had hoped for. That\'s because the withdrawal will be subject to:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>A mandatory 20% federal tax</strong>: When you take out money, the plan\'s service provider is required to withhold 20% in federal income tax. That means if you withdraw $10,000, you will get $8,000. While you will get this back as a tax refund if the money withheld exceeds your tax liabilities, this will significantly cut into the money that, presumably, you need immediately.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>A 10% tax penalty:&nbsp;</strong>You will owe a 10% penalty when you file your income tax return — or $1,000 on that $10,000 withdrawal.&nbsp;</li></ol>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A 401(k) early withdrawal will cost you more than just 30% off your withdrawal. Something that could be even worse — in the long run, at least — is the missed opportunity for that money to grow in your account.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For example, say you withdraw $20,000 when you\'re 40 years old. Assuming a 7% annual rate of return, the potential future value of that $20,000 today would be nearly $110,000 by the time you\'re 65.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"exceptions-to-the-401(k)-early-withdrawal-tax-penalty-\"><strong>Exceptions to the 401(k) early withdrawal tax penalty&nbsp;</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In most cases, you\'ll just have to take that 10% penalty if you decide to withdraw from a 401(k).&nbsp; But the&nbsp;IRS will waive that 10% penalty&nbsp;in extenuating circumstances:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>You become or are permanently disabled:</strong>&nbsp;If you are or become disabled for life, you won\'t owe the penalty.</li><li><strong>You are dividing assets in a divorce:&nbsp;</strong>Withdrawals made to satisfy a court order to divvy up the 401(k) with a former spouse or dependent are penalty-exempt.</li><li><strong>You are a qualified military reservist:&nbsp;</strong>You can take penalty-free withdrawals during your service period if you\'re called to active duty for at least 180 days.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>You leave your job at age 55:&nbsp;</strong>Also known as the rule of 55, this provision allows anyone who retires, quits, or is fired at age 55 to withdraw without penalty.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>You enroll in \"substantially equal periodic payments\":&nbsp;</strong>With&nbsp;SEPP, you withdraw a specific amount from your 401(k) every year for five years or until you turn 59 ½, whichever comes later. One catch: This account can\'t be the one you have at your current job — it has to be one you\'ve kept from a previous employer. Also, if you quit the SEPP plan early, you\'ll owe all the penalties, plus interest.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In addition to these events and situations, there are two other main ways to cash out early without a tax penalty: hardship withdrawals and loans.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"how-401(k)-hardship-withdrawals-work\"><strong>How 401(k) hardship withdrawals work</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The IRS allows anyone to take penalty-free withdrawals if they have an \"immediate and heavy financial need.\" You can use the money to cover your needs or those of someone else.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You may qualify for a hardship distribution if the funds go to:&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Pay for certain medical expenses</li><li>Buy a primary residence (excluding mortgage payments)</li><li>Cover college tuition, fees, room, and board</li><li>Prevent eviction or foreclosure</li><li>Pay for burial and funeral expenses</li><li>Make necessary home repairs after a disaster</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The amount you\'re able to withdraw will be limited to the amount necessary to cover the expense.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"how-a-401(k)-loan-works\"><strong>How a 401(k) loan works</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Given all the drawbacks of early withdrawals, you might consider&nbsp;borrowing from your 401(k) instead.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In general, you can borrow up to $50,000 or 50% of your vested account on a tax-free basis if you repay the loan within five years. That said, if you leave your job, you may be expected to pay off the loan in a short period of time. A 401(k) loan can be a better option than an early withdrawal for a couple of reasons:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>You won\'t owe taxes or a penalty on the amount you borrow unless you violate the loan limits and repayment rules.</li><li>If you repay the loan on time, you won\'t miss out on years of growth like you would with a withdrawal.</li><li>The interest you pay on a 401(k) loan can go back into your 401(k).</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">That said, some 401(k) loan plans don\'t let you contribute to retirement while you have an outstanding balance. Additionally, the money you use to pay back the loan is already after-tax income. This money will be taxed again once you take it out after you\'ve retired.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"401(k)-early-withdrawals-during-a-recession\"><strong>401(k) early withdrawals during a recession</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;recession&nbsp;spells out bad times for all.&nbsp;Gross domestic product (GDP)&nbsp;falls and industrial production slows down. Most noticeably of all,&nbsp;unemployment rates&nbsp;rise. You may find yourself on the wrong side of that trend with dwindling savings. You&nbsp;<em>do</em>&nbsp;have a nice amount of money that you set aside for a future version of yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It\'s a tempting idea that many people follow through on. A study from the&nbsp;IRS conducted in 2013&nbsp;found that in 2004, prior to the Great Recession, 13.3% of people with some retirement plan experienced a taxable retirement account distribution — essentially they did an early withdrawal. That percentage rose to 15.4% in 2010.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">An early withdrawal should be a last resort. If you can afford not to withdraw early, do so. However, like many other issues within personal finance, recessions impact income levels differently. The same survey states that lower-income households have a higher propensity for an early withdrawal because they\'re more deeply impacted by the economic shock.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"the-bottom-line\"><strong>The bottom line</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can access the money in your 401(k) before the traditional withdrawal age of 59 ½, but you should consider alternatives before committing to an early withdrawal. Keep in mind that your take-home will only be about 70% of the withdrawal amount after factoring your 20% tax and&nbsp; 10% penalty.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Also keep in mind the&nbsp;money you could\'ve earned&nbsp;if you had kept that money invested, which you can calculate using one of the many future gains calculators available online.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you see no alternative, take out only what you absolutely need right now, which will minimize how far back you\'re setting your retirement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/401k-early-withdrawal\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to withdraw from your traditional 401(k) account early and avoid penalties and fees','','inherit','closed','closed','','2660-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 14:59:21','2022-08-15 14:59:21','',2660,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2700',0,'revision','',0),(2701,1,'2022-08-15 15:00:10','2022-08-15 15:00:10','','Leadership','','inherit','closed','closed','','leadership-2','','','2022-08-15 15:00:10','2022-08-15 15:00:10','',2662,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Leadership.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2702,1,'2022-08-15 15:00:22','2022-08-15 15:00:22','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2701,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Leadership.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2701\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid4\">The prospect of advancing to the top of one\'s field is what makes it possible for many people to keep plugging away at their jobs, honing their skills,&nbsp;and taking on new projects. But after a certain point, career development depends on more than technical skills and a willingness to work hard. You also need a few soft skills, not the least of which is the ability to take on a leadership role.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid6\">Some people are natural leaders, but anyone can develop the skill set needed with some practice. If you want to take your career as far as possible, you have to be willing to put in the work. Here are nine strategies to help you&nbsp;develop your leadership skills&nbsp;and advance your career.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid8\">Find out your ideal leadership style based on your personality here:&nbsp;Which of These Leadership Styles Is Right For You? (Decision Tree)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">1. Practice discipline</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid10\">A good leader&nbsp;needs&nbsp;discipline.&nbsp;Developing discipline in your professional (and personal) life is a must to be an effective leader and to inspire others&nbsp;to be disciplined as well. People will judge your capacity to lead by the amount of discipline you display at work.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid12\">Demonstrate discipline at work by always meeting deadlines, keeping appointments, and&nbsp;ending meetings on time. If you are naturally disorganized, then you may have your work cut out for you, but you can always start small. Try implementing good habits at home, like&nbsp;waking up early and getting daily exercise, and work your way up from there.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">2. Take on more projects</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid14\">A great way to develop your leadership skills is to take on more responsibility. You don\'t have to take on more than you can handle, but you do need to do more than&nbsp;simply&nbsp;what\'s covered in your job description if you want to grow. Stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way you will learn anything new, and doing so will get you noticed by&nbsp;executives&nbsp;as someone who&nbsp;takes initiative.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">3. Learn to follow</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid16\">A true leader has no problem yielding control to another person when appropriate. You should not feel threatened when someone disagrees with you, questions your thinking, or puts forth their own ideas. Keep an open mind and give merit where merit is due. It won\'t always be easy, but if you learn to value and respect others on your team, they\'ll be more likely to step up to the plate for you.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">4. Develop situational awareness</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid18\">A mark of a good leader is someone who can see the bigger picture and anticipate problems before they occur. This is a valuable skill to have when handling&nbsp;complex&nbsp;projects with tight deadlines. The ability to foresee and provide suggestions for avoiding potential problems is invaluable for a leader. This ability also helps you recognize opportunities that others overlook, which will certainly earn you recognition. This can be especially difficult to develop when&nbsp;leading remote teams&nbsp;but with practice, you can become more attuned to your teams and projects.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">5. Inspire others</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid20\">Being a leader means you are part of a team, and as a leader, you should be able to motivate and inspire those you work with to collaborate as best they can. When a team member needs encouragement or guidance, offer it. Sometimes, all a person needs is someone to listen and be sympathetic.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">6. Keep learning</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid22\">The best path to becoming a good leader is to be open to learning new things. It keeps your mind sharp and your skills fresh. It primes you for new challenges that may come your way, which is always a good thing for a leader.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">7. Empower&nbsp;your teammates</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid24\">No one is the best at everything, and the sooner you realize that the sooner you can learn to be a good leader. Delegating tasks to others not only frees you up for things you do well, but it also empowers other people on your team.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">8. Resolve conflicts</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid26\">Don\'t be a&nbsp;manager from hell! Not everyone will get along all the time.&nbsp;Instead of&nbsp;ignoring&nbsp;interpersonal conflicts and hoping they will go away, address them by talking&nbsp;to those involved privately. Also, be open to reassigning team members if the conflict can\'t be resolved.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">9. Be a discerning listener</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid28\">Becoming a leader doesn\'t mean you always have to be in the spotlight. An important trait of a good leader is someone who listens to suggestions, ideas, and feedback from other people and builds on them. Good listeners know that communication is not only about words, but picking up on non-verbal cues, such as eye contact and body language.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"magicdomid31\">Good leadership skills&nbsp;are essential to advancing your career, but as you can see, leadership is much more than simply being in charge. As American statesman John Quincy Adams said, \"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How Wrike can help you hone your leadership skills</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Being a good leader is hard enough without dealing with disorganized&nbsp;project management&nbsp;systems. Wrike\'s&nbsp;project&nbsp;management software gives you the tools you need to lead your team to greatness:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Customizable request forms, so you can streamline your work intake and delegate tasks with ease</li><li>Dashboards for 360-degree visibility into projects, tasks, and workloads</li><li>Gantt charts to visualize deadlines and adjust schedules with a click&nbsp;</li><li>Dynamic reports with all the data you need to make key decisions</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Get started today with a&nbsp;free two-week trial of Wrike&nbsp;and watch your leadership skills blossom.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.wrike.com/blog/9-ways-develop-leadership-skills/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','9 Ways to Develop Your Leadership Skills','','inherit','closed','closed','','2662-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:00:22','2022-08-15 15:00:22','',2662,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2702',0,'revision','',0),(2703,1,'2022-08-15 15:01:12','2022-08-15 15:01:12','','Insurance-1','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-1-6','','','2022-08-15 15:01:12','2022-08-15 15:01:12','',2664,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2704,1,'2022-08-15 15:01:15','2022-08-15 15:01:15','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2703,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2703\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">What Is Underwriting?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-1\">Underwriting is the process through which an individual or institution takes on&nbsp;financial risk&nbsp;for a fee. This risk most typically involves&nbsp;loans, insurance, or investments. The term underwriter originated from the practice of having each risk-taker write their name under the total amount of risk they were willing to accept for a specified premium.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">Although the mechanics have changed over time, underwriting continues today as a key function in the financial world.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Underwriting is the process through which an individual or institution takes on financial risk for a fee.&nbsp;</li><li>Underwriters assess the degree of risk of insurers\' business.</li><li>Underwriting helps to set fair borrowing rates for loans, establish appropriate premiums, and create a market for securities by accurately pricing investment risk.</li><li>Underwriting ensures that a company filing for an IPO will raise the capital needed and provide the underwriters with a premium or profit for their services.</li><li>Investors benefit from the vetting process of underwriting grants by helping them make informed investment decisions.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\">How Underwriting Works</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Underwriting involves conducting research and assessing the degree of risk each applicant or entity brings to the table before assuming that risk. This check helps to set fair borrowing rates for loans, establish appropriate premiums to adequately cover the true cost of insuring policyholders, and create a market for&nbsp;securities&nbsp;by accurately pricing investment risk. If the risk is deemed too high, an underwriter may refuse coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">Risk is the underlying factor in all underwriting. In the case of a loan, the risk has to do with whether the borrower will repay the loan as agreed or will default. With insurance, the risk involves the likelihood that too many policyholders will file claims at once. With securities, the risk is that the underwritten investments will not be profitable.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\">Underwriters evaluate loans, particularly mortgages, to determine the likelihood that a borrower will pay as promised and that enough&nbsp;collateral&nbsp;is available in the event of&nbsp;default. In the case of insurance, underwriters seek to assess a policyholder\'s health and other factors and spread the potential risk among as many people as possible. Underwriting securities, most often done via&nbsp;initial public offerings&nbsp;(IPOs), helps determine the company\'s underlying value compared to the risk of funding its IPO.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">Types of Underwriting</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">There are basically three different types of underwriting: loans, insurance, and securities.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\"><strong>Loan Underwriting</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">All loans undergo some form of underwriting. In many cases, underwriting is automated and involves appraising an applicant\'s credit history, financial records, and the value of any collateral offered, along with other factors that depend on the size and purpose of the loan. The appraisal process can take a few minutes to a few weeks, depending on whether the appraisal requires a human being to be involved.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">The most common type of loan underwriting that involves a human underwriter is for&nbsp;mortgages. This is also the type of loan underwriting that most people encounter. The underwriter assesses income, liabilities (debt), savings, credit history, credit score, and more depending on an individual\'s financial circumstances. Mortgage underwriting typically has a “turn time” of a week or less.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\">Refinancing&nbsp;often takes longer because buyers who face deadlines get preferential treatment. Although loan applications can be approved, denied, or suspended, most are “approved with conditions,” meaning the underwriter wants clarification or additional documentation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">Insurance Underwriting</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">With insurance underwriting, the focus is on the potential policyholder—the person seeking health or life insurance. In the past, medical underwriting for health insurance was used to determine how much to charge an applicant based on their health and even whether to offer coverage at all, often based on the applicant’s pre-existing conditions. Beginning in 2014, under the&nbsp;Affordable Care Act, insurers were no longer allowed to deny coverage or impose limitations based on pre-existing conditions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">Life insurance underwriting&nbsp;seeks to assess the risk of insuring a potential policyholder based on their age, health, lifestyle, occupation, family medical history, hobbies, and other factors determined by the underwriter. Life insurance underwriting can result in approval—along with a range of coverage amounts, prices, exclusions, and conditions—or outright rejection.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">Securities Underwriting</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-32\">Securities underwriting, which seeks to assess risk and the appropriate price of particular securities—most often related to an IPO—is performed on behalf of a potential investor, often an investment bank. Based on the results of the underwriting process, an&nbsp;investment bank&nbsp;would buy (underwrite) securities issued by the company attempting the IPO and then sell those securities in the market.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-34\">Underwriting ensures that the company\'s IPO will raise the capital needed and provides the underwriters with a premium or profit for their service. Investors benefit from the&nbsp;vetting&nbsp;process that underwriting provides and its ability to make an informed investment decision.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">This type of underwriting can involve individual stocks and debt securities, including government, corporate, or municipal bonds. Underwriters or their employers purchase these securities to resell them for a profit either to investors or dealers (who sell them to other buyers). When more than one underwriter or group of underwriters is involved, this is known as an&nbsp;underwriter syndicate.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">How Long Does Underwriting Take?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-39\">The time frame for underwriting varies among different investment products, as the underwriter will have to spend some time examining the risk profile of each investment. Personal loans and insurance products are generally fairly simple to underwrite.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\"><strong>Personal Loans</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-42\">For car loans, the process is managed by an algorithm that compares the applicant to other borrowers with a similar profile. This process takes only a few days at most, and in some cases, it is almost instantaneous.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Home mortgages tend to take longer because the underwriter will need to verify the borrower\'s income, employment, and credit history, which can take some time. Full approval for a home loan can take up to 45 days, although the underwriting process itself accounts for only a small part of this time frame.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-46\">Insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">Underwriting insurance is the same as underwriting a loan, except that the insurers weigh the probability and size of the average claim compared to the premiums that they expect to collect. In the case of property and auto insurance policies, this is based on factors like the age of the insured, their geographical location, and their past history of making claims.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-49\">Life insurance policies are more complicated because they also account for the insured\'s medical history. Underwriting life insurance can also take a month or longer, although most decisions are issued in a few days.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-51\">Stocks and Bond Issues</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-52\">Securities are the most complicated products to underwrite. When a company issues a bond or a stock offering, the underwriter (usually an investment bank) examines the company\'s accounts, cash flows, assets, and liabilities, and checks for any discrepancies. This can take anywhere between six and nine months.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-54\">What Information Do Underwriters Look at?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-55\">Whether they are lending money or providing insurance, underwriters examine the financials of each applicant to determine how much risk they are taking on and the likelihood of losing money. This is generally done by comparison to historical data: If applicants with a similar risk profile tend to default X% of the time, then the premiums or interest rate will be priced at a rate that assumes an X% probability of default.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-57\">Underwriters for personal loans and insurance will look at the available data of the applicant. For loans, they might examine the borrower\'s income, employment status, and credit history. They will also assess the value of any assets that are used for collateral. For life insurance, they might also look at their medical history, including risk factors such as smoking or drinking.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-59\">For securities, the underwriters will look at the financial situation of the issuer, such as their income statements, cash flow, debts, and any other potential liabilities, before pricing a bond or stock issue. They will also examine the issuer\'s&nbsp;credit rating, the institutional equivalent of a personal credit score.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-61\">How Underwriting Sets the Market Price</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-62\">Creating a fair and stable market for financial transactions is the chief function of an underwriter. Every&nbsp;debt instrument, insurance policy, or IPO carries a certain risk that the customer will default, file a claim, or fail—a potential loss to the insurer or lender. A big part of the underwriter\'s job is to weigh the known risk factors and investigate an applicant’s truthfulness to determine the minimum price for providing coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-64\">Underwriters help establish the true market price of risk by deciding on a case-by-case basis - which transactions they are willing to cover and what rates they need to charge to make a profit. Underwriters also help expose unacceptably risky applicants—such as unemployed people asking for expensive mortgages, those in poor health who request life insurance, or companies that attempt an IPO before they are ready—by rejecting coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-66\">This vetting function substantially lowers the overall risk of expensive claims or defaults. It allows loan officers, insurance agents, and investment banks to offer more competitive rates to those with less risky propositions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Where Did the Word Underwriting Come From?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The term \"underwrite\" originates in the 17th century when marine vessels would be underwritten for insurance risk for overseas voyages. The insurance company would sub-scribe (literally to write underneath or under-write) the policy by signing their name at the bottom of the document and acknowledging consent that the policy is in force.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Is the Purpose of Underwriting Today?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Underwriting, whether for an insurance policy or a loan, revaluates the riskiness of a proposed deal or agreement. For an insurer, the underwriter must determine the risk of a policyholder filing a claim that must be paid out before the policy has become profitable. For a lender, the risk is of default or non-payment. Similarly, securities underwriting by investment banks evaluate newly issued shares and bonds to determine their risk-adjusted value.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Can an Underwriter Deny an Insurance Policy or Loan?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Yes, if the riskiness of a borrower or insurance policy applicant is deemed too great, the underwriter can either recommend higher rates or else deny the application entirely - so long as they are not breaking any anti-discrimination laws and are only evaluating objective risk metrics.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How Long Does the Underwriting Process Take?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With the advent of information technology, the underwriting process for insurers and lenders has shortened from a matter of weeks or months to just a few days or even hours in some cases.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-76\">The Bottom Line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-77\">Underwriting is the process of examining the financials of a loan or insurance application to determine how much risk they pose to a lender or insurer. This usually means checking the applicant\'s income, assets, and credit history to determine the likelihood that they will end up costing the underwriting institution more than they pay in premiums.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/underwriting.asp\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Underwriting','','inherit','closed','closed','','2664-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:01:15','2022-08-15 15:01:15','',2664,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2704',0,'revision','',0),(2705,1,'2022-08-15 15:02:01','2022-08-15 15:02:01','','Insurance-2','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-2-6','','','2022-08-15 15:02:01','2022-08-15 15:02:01','',2666,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2706,1,'2022-08-15 15:02:04','2022-08-15 15:02:04','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2705,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2705\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">What Is Directors and Officers (D&amp;O) Liability Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-1\">Directors and officers (D&amp;O) liability insurance is insurance coverage intended to protect individuals from personal losses if they are sued as a result of serving as a director or an officer of a business or other type of organization. It can also cover the legal fees and other costs the organization may incur as a result of such a suit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Directors and officers (D&amp;O) liability insurance covers directors and officers or their company or organization if sued (most policies exclude fraud and criminal offenses).</li><li>D&amp;O insurance claims are paid to cover losses associated with the lawsuit, including legal defense fees.</li><li>Side A coverage covers directors and officers for claims where the company refuses to or is financially unable to pay for indemnification.</li><li>Side B coverage covers the losses of directors and officers when the company does grant indemnification.</li><li>Side C coverage, also called \"entity coverage,\" extends coverage for the corporate entity itself.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Understanding Directors and Officers (D&amp;O) Liability Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">D&amp;O insurance applies to anyone who serves as a director or an officer of a for-profit business or nonprofit organization. A D&amp;O insurance policy&nbsp;insures&nbsp;against personal losses, and it&nbsp;can also help reimburse a&nbsp;business or nonprofit for the legal fees or other costs incurred in defending such individuals against lawsuits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">D&amp;O insurance claims are paid to directors and officers of a company or organization for losses or&nbsp;reimbursement of&nbsp;defense costs if&nbsp;legal action is brought against them. Such coverage can also&nbsp;extend to&nbsp;criminal and regulatory investigations or trial defense costs. Civil and criminal actions are often brought against directors and&nbsp;officers simultaneously.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">D&amp;O insurance is akin to&nbsp;corporate governance,&nbsp;corporate law, and the&nbsp;fiduciary&nbsp;duty owed to stakeholders, such as shareholders and beneficiaries. US federal law grants&nbsp;directors and officers broad discretion in their business activities. Corporate law is typically handled at the state level. Publicly traded companies are subject to more federal regulation than privately held companies, particularly due to the&nbsp;Securities Act of 1933&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\">Types of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">The typical D&amp;O insurance policy contains three types of insuring agreements. They\'re commonly referred to as Side A, Side B, and Side C.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Side A coverage covers directors and officers for claims where the company refuses to or is financially unable to pay for indemnification. This can occur, for example, if the company has declared bankruptcy. Under Side A coverage, the individual officer is the one who\'s insured and it\'s their personal assets that are at risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Side B coverage covers the losses of directors and officers when the company does grant indemnification. In this case, the policy will reimburse the company for legal costs. Under Side B coverage, it is the company that is insured while its corporate assets are at risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">Side C coverage, also called \"entity coverage,\" extends coverage for the corporate entity itself. Under Side C coverage, the company is insured and its corporate assets are at risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">The exact coverage that a company goes with ultimately depends on its unique business model characteristics, needs, history, and financial picture.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-25\">Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Process</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">The process of D&amp;O insurance in real life is straightforward. It all starts when a manager allegedly fails to perform his or her role. Some common risk scenarios include employment malpractice, reporting errors, inaccurate disclosures, insolvencies, and regulation violations. As a result, several claimants decide to sue the manager.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">Once the manager and the legal/risk management departments are informed of the claim, they then provide a description of the claim to their broker/insurer. If the claim is covered, the insurer covers the defense costs. If the claim is covered and the case is lost, the insurer pays for the defense costs&nbsp;<em>and&nbsp;</em>the financial losses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Of course, that example heavily depends on the terms and conditions of the specific policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Important: D&amp;O insurance&nbsp;has become closely associated with broader management liability insurance, which covers&nbsp;liabilities&nbsp;of the corporation, as well as the personal liabilities for the directors and officers of the corporation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-34\">Special Considerations</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">D&amp;O policies can take different forms, depending on the nature of the organization and the risks it faces. It’s best to seek out an insurance company with deep experience in this specialized field. The policies are generally purchased by the organization to cover a group of individuals rather than by the individuals themselves.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-37\">If a&nbsp;company fails to disclose material information or willfully provides inaccurate information, the insurer may avoid payment due to&nbsp;misrepresentation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-39\">The \"severability clause\" in the policy conditions may be intended to protect against this by preventing misconduct by one insured from affecting insurance for other insureds; however, in certain jurisdictions, it may be ineffective.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">Policies can be written to insure against a variety of hazards, but they generally make exclusions for fraud, criminal activity, and illegal profits. Also, most policies contain \"insured vs. insured\" clauses, whereby no claim is paid when current or former directors and officers sue the company. This prevents the company from profiting from deceit or conspiracy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Do I Need D&amp;O Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It depends on the size and nature of your business. But generally speaking, D&amp;O insurance should seriously be considered. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Do Small Businesses Need D&amp;O Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Small businesses aren\'t immune to costly lawsuits. It might be easy to assume that lawsuits and fines are only triggered by disgruntled shareholders. That\'s definitely the case with high-profile suits against large public companies. However, for private companies, the most damaging suits are brought by customers, vendors, and other third parties. Small companies might be uniquely vulnerable to a potentially damaging lawsuit because they don\'t have the financial muscle that larger companies may have.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How Much Does D&amp;O Insurance Cost?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The cost of D&amp;O insurance can vary widely depending on factors like company size, industry, risk appetite, financial position, revenue, and claims history. All else equal, businesses that have a long operating history will likely pay less than younger organizations. Insurance marketplace Insureon found that the median cost of D&amp;O insurers for its customers was $1,240 annually.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Type of D&amp;O Insurance Should I Buy?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The type of D&amp;O insurance you choose depends on what your company needs and what it can afford. Here are a few main things to consider—should the policy just cover managers (Side A) or the company as a whole (Side B and Side C)? How much coverage is enough? What are the biggest D&amp;O risks your company, in particular, faces?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does D&amp;O Insurance Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">D&amp;O insurance typically covers legal fees, settlements, and financial losses when the insured is held liable. Common allegations covered include breaches of fiduciary duty, failure to comply with regulations, lack of corporate governance, creditor claims, and reporting errors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Outright fraud, criminal activity, and lawsuits between managers within the same company are usually not covered.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/directors-and-officers-liability-insurance.asp\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','2666-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:02:04','2022-08-15 15:02:04','',2666,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2706',0,'revision','',0),(2707,1,'2022-08-15 15:02:56','2022-08-15 15:02:56','','Insurance-3','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-3-3','','','2022-08-15 15:02:56','2022-08-15 15:02:56','',2668,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-3.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2708,1,'2022-08-15 15:03:07','2022-08-15 15:03:07','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2707,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2707\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’re thinking of your big day, it’s perfectly normal to dream about all of the good things that are going to happen. However, you should be realistic about it. We live in the real world, and things can often go wrong when planning such a major event.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In this sense, you should hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Now don’t worry; that doesn’t mean that bad things will definitely happen. However, it’s better to play it safe than to end up losing a lot of money over mismanagement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Is Wedding Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although optional,&nbsp;wedding insurance<strong>&nbsp;</strong>covers a plethora of things that could go wrong all the way from your first day of planning up to the day of your dreams. While it won’t get your sweetheart back in case they change their mind or get cold feet on the big day, this type of insurance can save you a lot of pain financial-wise.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Things That Wedding Insurance Can Cover</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Of course, now you’re probably wondering what exactly can wedding insurance cover. Here is a list of the most common things that come under the policy’s coverage plan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Wedding Event Cancelation or Postponement</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If the venue cancels your wedding or makes you postpone your event, the insurance policy should have you covered and reimbursed in cash for such troubles.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">A Supplier Can’t Respect the Deal</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It’s not uncommon for suppliers (photographers, decorators, catering services, etc.) to bust out on what you have arranged due to all sorts of technical issues. In such cases, the wedding insurance policy can cover any cost that you’ve paid to the supplier up to that point as well as any additional costs that might pop up thanks to having to get a new supplier.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Key People Can’t Make It</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If one of the couple or one of the most important guests can’t attend the wedding due to illness, injury, jury service, accident, or death, then most wedding insurance policies can cover the related costs. Similarly, some insurance policies can also cover the costs if most of your attendees can’t make it due to severe&nbsp;unforeseen weather conditions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Wedding-Related Goods</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Hopefully, no one should have to go through such a horrible scenario. However, if you do happen to be a part of the unlucky ones, then you’ll be glad to have chosen a policy that can cover this type of ordeal.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Such a policy can cover wedding rings, gifts, outfits, flowers, and so forth. It’s not uncommon for a wedding cake to get at least slightly damaged due to poor packaging. And we all know that ordering a replacement fast will never be as spectacular as your original design, so getting yourself covered in case of such a happening is important.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Liquor Liability Coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Any event that has alcohol involved has a high risk of ending up with some&nbsp;booze-related drama. Whether someone starts a fight, fumbles over and breaks one of their body parts, or whether they cause property damage, this type of coverage should get you out of the legal and financial storm that can otherwise follow after such an event. Make sure that the coverage you choose can cover you, the organizers, and the event venue as well.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">The Bottom Line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Planning your big day? Then get yourself covered with a good wedding insurance policy. Think about all the aspects of your wedding and what you risk of going wrong, then negotiate either with the insurer or with an insurance broker about what things you would like to have covered.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The extra price might seem a bit scary at first, but it’s a much cheaper ordeal than what you would have to pay in case something goes wrong and you aren’t covered by insurance. So, bottom line, do yourself and your loved one a favor and get insurance for your big day as soon as possible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://qrius.com/why-you-should-get-wedding-insurance/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Why You Should Get Wedding Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','2668-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:03:07','2022-08-15 15:03:07','',2668,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2708',0,'revision','',0),(2709,1,'2022-08-15 15:03:43','2022-08-15 15:03:43','','Insurance-4','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-4-4','','','2022-08-15 15:03:43','2022-08-15 15:03:43','',2670,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-4.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2710,1,'2022-08-15 15:03:47','2022-08-15 15:03:47','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2709,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2709\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Why E-Bike Insurance Is a Good Idea</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-1\">Whether you’re using an electric bike to zip to work, run errands, or explore your community, you’re likely seeing more people around you on similar rides. The popularity of e-bikes is growing, but since they’re relatively new, laws governing their use are like a patchwork quilt across the nation. E-bikes don’t have the same powerful engines as motorcycles, but some states have drafted laws requiring that riders have a driver’s license, helmet, and vehicle registration.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">But do you need insurance for an e-bike? Like the requirements above, the answer depends on where you live. However, even if e-bike insurance isn’t required in your state, you may want to consider it anyway. Your home and car insurance policies might provide some protection for an e-bike, but they can’t beat the specialized coverage of an electric bike insurance policy.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Will Homeowners or Auto Insurance Cover Electric Bikes?&nbsp;</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">An auto, condo, homeowners, or renters insurance policy may provide some protection for your e-bike.&nbsp;Standard home insurance policies&nbsp;include personal property coverage, which may help pay to repair or replace your e-bike if it’s damaged in a covered loss or stolen from either your home or a public location. A condo, homeowners, or renters policy may also provide some protection if your e-bike sustains damage while you’re transporting it in your vehicle.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">However,&nbsp;home insurance policies set limits&nbsp;on payouts for certain types of personal property. And most standard condo, homeowners, and renters policies only pay a depreciated value, known as actual cash value, for personal property. If your e-bike is worth more than that limit, your home insurance policy may not provide adequate protection.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Tip: Your provider may allow you to add your e-bike to a condo, homeowners, or renters policy as scheduled personal property, which allows you to increase your coverage for a specific item.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Home insurance policies probably won’t cover collision damage to an e-bike unless you’ve added it to your coverage as scheduled property. If you’re injured while biking, your health insurance will likely cover medical costs. The medical payments coverage of your car insurance may pay some hospital bills and lost wages if you collide with an automobile, but you should check with your insurer.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">If you’re at fault for an accident while riding your e-bike, and cause someone else’s injuries or property damage, the personal liability coverage of your condo, homeowners, or renters policy might cover some costs. But it also might not, depending on the type of e-bike you have and other factors. Again, check with your insurer to know exactly how much coverage you might already have.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">And keep in mind that home insurance claims are subject to deductibles and limits, so read your policy carefully before&nbsp;filing a claim.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\">What Is Electric Bike Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">If your bike is expensive, like many e-bikes, you should consider buying an insurance policy for it. These standalone policies are designed for bike owners and go beyond the protections offered by a condo, home, or renters insurance policy. A comprehensive electric bike insurance policy may offer coverage for:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Accidental damage</li><li>Collisions with uninsured motorists</li><li>Crash damage</li><li>Cycling apparel damage or theft</li><li>In-transit losses</li><li>Liability</li><li>Medical payments</li><li>Racing-related damages or losses</li><li>Rental bike reimbursement following a covered loss</li><li>Roadside assistance</li><li>Spare parts losses</li><li>Theft and vandalism</li><li>Vehicle contact</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-32\">Your home insurance policy may have a deductible of $1,000 or more. But with a&nbsp;bike insurance policy, you can choose a deductible as low as $200. And if you own more than one bike, some insurers will allow you to purchase a single policy that covers your entire collection.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-34\">Do You Need E-Bike Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">Electric bike laws vary by state. Many states have established classification systems for e-bikes to differentiate between similar types of vehicles, like electric scooters and mopeds. According to the National Conference of State Legislators, 26 states have adopted a three-tier electric bike classification system:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-39\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Class 1</strong>: E-bikes with motors that provide pedaling assistance up to 20 miles per hour.</li><li><strong>Class 2</strong>: E-bikes with motors that can provide pedaling assistance or propel the bike without pedaling up to 20 miles per hour.</li><li><strong>Class 3</strong>: E-bikes equipped with motors that provide pedaling assistance up to 28 miles per hour and with speedometers.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">States use these classifications to establish laws that govern many aspects of electric bike ownership, including driver age limits and requirements for helmets, licenses, and registration. Some states have also used e-bike classification to clarify insurance requirements. For example, in New Jersey, e-bike owners aren’t required to carry insurance, have a license, or register class 1 or 2 electric bicycles—but riders or passengers aged 17 or younger must wear helmets. If you’re unsure about your state’s e-bike insurance requirements, check with your&nbsp;state department of insurance&nbsp;or your insurance agent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-44\">How to Buy E-Bike Insurance&nbsp;</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-46\">The cost of electric bike insurance can depend on aspects such as the type and value of your e-bike, the coverages you choose, and your deductible. However, it’s relatively affordable, typically starting at around $100 per year.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-49\">When shopping for electric bike insurance, look for a policy that includes a comprehensive set of coverages, such as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-52\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Liability</strong>: As with auto insurance, liability coverage should include injuries to another person and damage to property when you’re at fault for an accident while riding your bike. Some carriers offer liability coverage up to $100,000.</li><li><strong>Uninsured motorist</strong>: If an uninsured driver hits you, you could face astronomical medical expenses, so it’s important to find an electric bike policy that includes uninsured motorist coverage. Some companies offer uninsured motorist coverage with limits as high as $500,000.</li><li><strong>Physical damage</strong>: A policy should cover damage to your bike caused by contact with another vehicle. It should also cover losses resulting from collisions with an object, such as a curb or tree. Also, look for a policy that covers your bike while in transit to protect yourself when traveling to a trailhead, a race, or a biking vacation.</li><li><strong>Theft and vandalism</strong>: Look for a policy that offers replacement cost coverage that will pay to replace your e-bike if it is stolen or destroyed by vandals. Comprehensive coverage should also include accidental damage caused by you or someone else.</li><li><strong>Medical payments</strong>: E-bike medical payments coverage helps pay your medical costs when you’re involved in a covered bike-related accident. Look for a policy that provides flexible limits up to the amount of coverage you need.</li><li><strong>Other coverages</strong>: Coverage needs are subjective. If you plan to take your bike abroad, you’ll need a policy that provides worldwide damage coverage. Likewise, if you’re a competitive cyclist, you’ll need a policy that covers racing, cycling apparel, spare parts, and event fee reimbursement. If you commute to work on your e-bike, you might need a policy that offers rental bike reimbursement and roadside assistance.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-60\">The Bottom Line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-62\">If you spend several thousand dollars on an e-bike, protecting it with a standalone electric bike insurance policy makes sense. A condo, home, or renters policy might provide some protection if your e-bike is stolen from your garage or destroyed in a house fire, but it probably won’t provide enough coverage to replace it. Policies designed for e-bikes offer a wide range of coverages that cyclists need to protect their gear at home, on the road, and abroad. E-bike insurance is affordable and a good idea for recreational riders and commuters alike.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thebalance.com/electric-bike-insurance-5181607\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What Is Electric Bike Insurance and Do You Need It?','','inherit','closed','closed','','2670-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:03:47','2022-08-15 15:03:47','',2670,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2710',0,'revision','',0),(2711,1,'2022-08-15 15:04:20','2022-08-15 15:04:20','','Insurance-5','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-5-6','','','2022-08-15 15:04:20','2022-08-15 15:04:20','',2672,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-5.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2712,1,'2022-08-15 15:04:24','2022-08-15 15:04:24','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2711,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2711\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">What Is Runoff Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-1\">Runoff insurance is an insurance policy provision that covers claims made against companies that have been acquired, merged, or have ceased operations.&nbsp;Runoff insurance, also known as closeout insurance, is purchased by the company being acquired and&nbsp;indemnifies—exempts from liability—the acquiring company from lawsuits against the directors and officers of the acquired company.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Runoff insurance protects an acquiring company from legal claims made against a company being acquired or a company that has merged or ceased operations.</li><li>A runoff policy applies for a certain period after the policy is active acting as a claims-made policy rather than an occurrence policy.</li><li>Runoff policies are similar to extended reporting period provisions except they apply to multi-year periods, not just one year.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Understanding Runoff Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Acquiring a company means taking possession&nbsp;of its assets, but also its liabilities, including those&nbsp;only be discovered in the future. Obligations arise for many reasons. Third&nbsp;parties may feel that they were not treated fairly in contracts.&nbsp;Investors may feel upset with how the previous directors and officers ran the business. Competitors may claim infringement of intellectual property rights. An acquiring company might demand that the company being acquired purchase runoff insurance to protect itself from these liabilities.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">A runoff policy is a type of&nbsp;claims-made policy&nbsp;rather than an occurrence policy. The difference in policy type is because the claim may be made several years after the incident that caused damage or loss, and occurrence policies provide coverage only during the period that the policy was active. The length of the runoff policy, referred to simply as the “runoff,”&nbsp;is typically set for several years after the policy becomes active. The provision is purchased by the acquiring company, and the purchase funds are often included in the acquisition price.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Professionals may also purchase runoff insurance to cover professional liabilities that occur after a business has closed. For example, a physician who closes their private practice may purchase runoff insurance to protect themselves from claims filed by previous patients. This type of policy is typically renewed until the statute of limitations on filing a claim has passed. If the business continues to offer services, its policies typically extend indemnification making the purchase of a runoff provision unnecessary.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Important: The following insurance policies should have a runoff provision: directors and officers (D&amp;O) insurance, fiduciary liability insurance, professional liability (E&amp;O) insurance, and employment practices liability (EPL) insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\">Runoff Insurance Example</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Consider a hypothetical runoff&nbsp;policy written for a term between&nbsp;Jan.&nbsp;1, 2017, and Jan.&nbsp;1,&nbsp;2018. In this situation, coverage will apply&nbsp;to all claims caused by wrongful acts committed between Jan.&nbsp;1, 2017, and&nbsp;Jan.&nbsp;1,&nbsp;2018, that are&nbsp;reported to the insurer from Jan. 1, 2018, to Jan. 1, 2023. That is, the five years immediately following the end of the policy term.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Special Considerations</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Although runoff insurance provisions function similarly to&nbsp;extended reporting period&nbsp;(ERP) provisions, there are several differences. First, ERPs are typically only for one-year terms, whereas runoff provisions normally encompass multi-year periods. Second, ERPs are frequently&nbsp;purchased when the insured individual switches from one claims-made insurer to another, whereas runoff provisions are used when one insured is acquired by or merges with another.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/runoff-insurance.asp\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Runoff Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','2672-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:04:24','2022-08-15 15:04:24','',2672,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2712',0,'revision','',0),(2713,1,'2022-08-15 15:05:11','2022-08-15 15:05:11','','Insurance-6-1','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-6-1','','','2022-08-15 15:05:11','2022-08-15 15:05:11','',2674,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-6-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2714,1,'2022-08-15 15:05:16','2022-08-15 15:05:16','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2713,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-6-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2713\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Loan protection insurance can be an ideal solution to protect yourself, and your finances, against economic emergencies. While no one wants to contemplate a future in which they are unable to take care of their monthly bills, loan protection insurance promises to help with specific loan repayments if you are unable to work due to disability or periods of unemployment. However, it is essential to understand the details of what loan protection insurance provides before deciding as to whether it is right for you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Is Loan Protection Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Most people make major purchases with the full expectation that they will be able to continue working and producing at their current or better income level for many years to come. Then the unexpected happens, and they are unable to work and earn income.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It could be an illness that requires a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation period. It could be a financial windstorm that leaves you, along with thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people out of work with no job prospects in sight. Loan protection insurance is designed to help you by providing financial support to help you repay your loans in these instanced.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This type of protection is usually an optional coverage you can purchase when obtaining personal, auto or home loans.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How Does It Work?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the case of mortgage protection, the insurance works by making your monthly mortgage payment on your behalf if you should become disabled through an illness or injury that renders you unable to work or if you are laid off from your job. Most plans have strict limits about how long you must have the policy in place before it will begin making payments for you as well as limits on how long the mortgage payments will continue.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The standard for most policies is that the plan needs to be in effect for 60 days before the protection goes into effect, with a limit of 24 total months of protection for the duration of the coverage. Most people can get back on their feet from a temporary setback or make other arrangements to pay their mortgages within a 24-month frame of time. However, one consideration, in deciding whether a loan protection plan is right for you, is whether the 24-month window would provide the necessary payment coverage in the event of a deep and extended recession or lengthy illness.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How You Can Benefit: The Pros</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The main benefit of loan protection insurance is the peace of mind it provides. The time-window for protection allows you to focus on treatment and recovery (or a job search if you are unemployed) rather than how you are going to keep a roof over your head in the coming months. That is the point of insurance, after all, to provide peace of mind to the insured and allow them the breathing room they need to focus on recovering from disasters without the added worry of potential financial devastation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not only can it help you keep making your mortgage, auto or personal loan payment while experiencing a significant illness, loan protection insurance also protects your credit score while you go through these devastating experiences as well. That can help you with negotiating power when you attempt to obtain favorable loan terms for other loans or credit cards. Had you not been able to continue making loan payments, you might receive less than optimal rates on new loans or suffer penalizing higher interest rates on outstanding credit card balances.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Finally, acceptance rates for this type of insurance protection are incredibly high, so most people don’t have to worry about being turned down because of your age, occupation, marital status, or other financial issues.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What to Look Out For: The Cons</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It is not all sunshine and roses though. Not only do you need to stick with reputable insurers for this type of insurance protection, but you also need to make sure you read and understand the fine print of your policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Common causes for refusals to pay out, for instance, include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Working only part-time</li><li>Self-employment</li><li>Pre-existing medical conditions rendering you unable to work</li><li>Employment based on short-term contracts</li><li>You are unable to work any job other than your current job</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Some people find employer-sponsored long-term disability plans are better solutions to help them cover their costs and expenses during periods of unemployment due to illness or injury, though those aren’t effective for unemployment concerns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You will need to compare policies, investigate companies offering coverage (and their records for denying claims), and choose your loan protection insurance policy wisely if this is the route you decide to go. There are no absolutes. Even companies with the best reputations may have policy shifts that err on the side of the company rather than the insured.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The Takeaway: Loan protection insurance fills a unique role with potentially substantial benefits, but there are downsides too. The key is to investigate thoroughly, understand your risks, and make informed decisions about the value of the coverage, should you have a prolonged health problem or period of unemployment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://financialwellnesscenter.northwest.bank/credit-and-debt/debt/article/the-pros-and-cons-of-loan-protection-insurance\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','The Pros and Cons of Loan Protection Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','2674-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:05:16','2022-08-15 15:05:16','',2674,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2714',0,'revision','',0),(2715,1,'2022-08-15 15:05:54','2022-08-15 15:05:54','','Insurance-7','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-7-6','','','2022-08-15 15:05:54','2022-08-15 15:05:54','',2688,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-7.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2716,1,'2022-08-15 15:05:57','2022-08-15 15:05:57','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2715,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2715\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Homeowners insurance offers protection for your&nbsp;dwelling&nbsp;and&nbsp;personal belongings. It also offers&nbsp;personal liability coverage&nbsp;and additional living expense coverage if your home becomes inhabitable. There are&nbsp;eight types of homeowners insurance&nbsp;based on the dwelling type. Mobile home insurance is known as an HO-7 homeowners policy.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Unlike&nbsp;car insurance, you aren\'t legally required to have homeowners insurance. However, your lender may require homeowners insurance if you have a mortgage. Similarly, mobile home communities may require owners to have mobile home insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"what-is-mobile-home-insurance?\"><strong>What is mobile home insurance?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A mobile home — also referred to as a manufactured home — can be relocated by the owner. It is usually built on a chassis while allowing the home to move. A modular home is not the same as a mobile home. Modular homes, like traditional homes, are permanently built on a foundation.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Due to foundational risks, mobile homes tend to cost more to insure than modular homes. You&nbsp;must purchase a standard HO-3 policy if you have a modular home. If you own a mobile home, you must purchase an HO-7 policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:table -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Modular home</strong></td><td><strong>Mobile home</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Usually insured on a standard homeowners policyConstructed according to local, state, and regional building codes (may overlap with federal codes)Built on a permanent foundation (slab or a basement)</td><td>Insured with policies that account for the increased risk of damage from wind and other hazardsMade according to construction codes administered by HUDBuilt on a chassis, similar to a motor vehicle</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>\n<!-- /wp:table -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"what-does-mobile-home-insurance-cover?\"><strong>What does mobile home insurance cover?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Several types of coverages come with your mobile home coverage:&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Dwelling coverage:&nbsp;</strong>Covers the cost to repair or rebuild your home. Mobile homes have open peril coverage for the home and other structures under&nbsp;dwelling coverage. An open peril policy covers damages to your home, even if not explicitly stated in the policy.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Personal property coverage:</strong>&nbsp;This protects your personal belongings and home furnishings. It covers damage and loss due to theft, fire, lightning,&nbsp;hail, and vandalism.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Liability protection:</strong>&nbsp;This type of coverage will protect you if someone gets injured on your property or sues you for damage to their property.</li><li><strong>Loss of use coverage:</strong>&nbsp;This coverage will help you with expenses if your house becomes temporarily uninhabitable.&nbsp;</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are some limits to your mobile home insurance coverage. It usually doesn\'t cover flooding, earthquakes, or wear and tear damage. However, you can get additional coverage to protect your modular home further.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"how-much-does-mobile-homeowners-insurance-cost?\"><strong>How much does mobile homeowners insurance cost?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Mobile home insurance can cost as little as $300 to $1,000 annually. Your property\'s location, age, and condition will affect your premium, according to&nbsp;Insure.com. Mobile homes located in coastal areas will have higher premiums.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Mobile homes located in weather zones or&nbsp;disaster-prone areas&nbsp;will increase premiums because these events need add-on riders.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/mobile-home-insurance\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Mobile home insurance will cover homes built on wheeled structures','','inherit','closed','closed','','2688-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:05:57','2022-08-15 15:05:57','',2688,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2716',0,'revision','',0),(2719,1,'2022-08-15 15:07:59','2022-08-15 15:07:59','','Insurance-9','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-9-4','','','2022-08-15 15:07:59','2022-08-15 15:07:59','',2678,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-9.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2720,1,'2022-08-15 15:08:07','2022-08-15 15:08:07','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2719,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2719\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bicycling is increasingly popular, both as a sport and as a means of transportation. Whether you spent a few hundred or a few thousand dollars on your bike, whether you use it to commute to work or to cycle around the block with your kids, it\'s important to understand the rules of the bike lane and protect your financial investment with the proper insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Properly insure your bicycle—and your assets</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bicycling is increasingly popular, both as a sport and as a means of transportation. And bicycles can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars for a basic bike to thousands of dollars for specialized racing bikes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bicycles are covered under the personal property section of&nbsp;standard homeowners&nbsp;and&nbsp;renters insurance policies. This coverage will reimburse you, minus your deductible, if your bike is stolen or damaged in a fire, hurricane or other disaster listed in your policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you are purchasing a new bicycle, keep the receipt and add the bike to your home inventory list. If you own a particularly expensive model, call your insurance professional to review your options. He or she may recommend an&nbsp;endorsement that will provide additional coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Homeowners and renters policies also provide protection for harm you may cause to someone else or to their property. In the event you injure someone while riding your bike, your policy includes no-fault medical coverage, usually ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. If the injured party decides to sue, you will be covered up to the liability limits of your policy so, as always, make sure you have adequate coverage to protect your assets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><a></a>Keep your bicycle locked and secure</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Whenever you\'re not riding it, prevent bike theft by taking these precautions:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Always lock up your bike</strong>, even if it is in your garage, an apartment stairwell, or a college dormitory. Make sure it\'s in a visible, well-lit area.</li><li><strong>Lock your bicycle to a fixed, immovable object</strong>&nbsp;like a parking meter or permanent bike rack. Be careful not to lock it to items that can be easily cut, broken or removed, and make sure that the bike cannot be lifted over the top of the object to which it\'s locked.</li><li><strong>Use a U-lock.</strong>&nbsp;For maximum security, position the bike frame and wheels so that they take up as much of the open space within the U-portion of the lock as possible. The tighter the lock-up, the harder it is for a thief to use tools to attack the lock. Always position a U-lock so that the keyhole is facing down towards the ground. Do not position the lock close to the ground as this makes it easier for a thief to break it.</li><li><strong>Change your bike lock-up locations.</strong>&nbsp;If you secure it in the same location all the time, a thief may notice the pattern and target you.</li><li><strong>Consider registering your bike</strong>&nbsp;with the&nbsp;National Bike Registry, so if a bike is stolen it can potentially be traced.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><a></a>Just in case—take steps to make insurance claims easier</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Minimize the pain of theft or damage by being prepared in the case of an insurance claim for your bike and related items.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Add your bicycle to your home inventory, as well as any related items, such as a helmet, patch kits, pumps, extra inner tubes and other essentials—not to mention that fancy new bike jersey. If your bike and related items are stolen or destroyed, having an inventory can help speed the claims process.</li><li><strong>Save your receipts</strong>. Make sure to save your receipts for your bicycle as well as any of the aforementioned nifty equipment and accessories you purchase for use with it. The cost of these can add up quickly and, again, proof of what you paid will greatly speed the claims process. Keep these with your home inventory, above.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><a></a>Keep yourself safe while riding</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your safety is, of course, of utmost importance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that cyclists follow these seven rules:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Protect your head</strong>. Never ride a bike without a properly fitted helmet.</li><li><strong>Assure bicycle readiness.&nbsp;</strong>Ride a bike that fits you and check all parts of the bicycle to make sure they are secure and working well.</li><li><strong>Learn and follow the rules of the road.&nbsp;</strong>Bicycles are considered vehicles on the road; therefore riders must follow the same traffic laws as drivers of motor vehicles.</li><li><strong>Act like a driver of a motor vehicle.&nbsp;</strong>Always ride with the flow of traffic, on the right side of the road, and as far to the right of the road as is practicable and safe.</li><li><strong>Be visible.&nbsp;</strong>Always assume you are not seen by others and take responsibility for making yourself visible to motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists.</li><li><strong>“Drive with care.”&nbsp;</strong>When you ride, consider yourself the driver of a vehicle and always keep safety in mind. Ride in the bike lane, if available. Take extra care when riding on a roadway. Courtesy and predictability are key to safe cycling.</li><li><strong>Stay focused. Stay alert.&nbsp;</strong>Never wear headphones as they hinder your ability to hear traffic. Be aware of your surroundings and ride defensively.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.iii.org/article/bicycle-safety-and-insurance\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Bicycle safety and insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','2678-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:08:07','2022-08-15 15:08:07','',2678,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2720',0,'revision','',0),(2721,1,'2022-08-15 15:08:42','2022-08-15 15:08:42','','Insurance-10','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-10-5','','','2022-08-15 15:08:42','2022-08-15 15:08:42','',2681,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-10.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2722,1,'2022-08-15 15:08:45','2022-08-15 15:08:45','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2721,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insurance-10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2721\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Standard homeowners policies cover a wide range of potential disasters, from tornadoes to lightning strikes to winter storm damage. Policies do vary, though, so for your own peace of mind, check yours for the specific perils covered. Learn what\'s generally covered by each homeowners insurance policy type—and what\'s not.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What type of disasters are covered?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:table {\"className\":\"is-style-regular\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-small\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular has-extra-small-font-size\"><table><thead><tr><th>&nbsp;</th><th>Dwelling &amp; personal property</th><th>Dwelling</th><th>Personal property</th><th>&nbsp;Dwelling &amp; personal property</th></tr><tr><th>Perils</th><th>Basic HO-1*+</th><th>Broad HO-2*</th><th>Special HO-3*</th><th>Special HO-3</th><th>Renters HO-4</th><th>Condo/Co-op HO-6</th><th>Modified Coverage HO-8</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1. Fire or lightning</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>2. Windstorm or hail</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>3. Explosion</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>4. Riot or civil commotion</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>5. Damage caused by aircraft</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>6. Damage caused by vehicles</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>7. Smoke</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>8. Vandalism or malicious mischief</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>9. Theft</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>10. Volcanic eruption</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td></tr><tr><td>11. Falling object</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>12. Weight of ice, snow or sleet</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>13.&nbsp; Accidental discharge or overflow of<br>water or steam from within a plumbing,<br>heating, air conditioning, or automatic<br>fire-protective sprinkler system, or from<br>a household appliance.</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>14. Sudden and accidental tearing apart,<br>cracking, burning, or bulging of a steam<br>or hot water heating system, an air<br>conditioning or automatic fire-protective<br>system.</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>15. Freezing of a plumbing, heating, air<br>conditioning or automatic, fire-protective<br>sprinkler system, or of a household appliance.</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>16. Sudden and accidental damage from<br>artificially generated electrical current<br>(does not include loss&nbsp; to a tube, transistor<br>or similar electronic component)</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>x</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>17. All perils except flood, earthquake, war,<br>nuclear accident, landslide, mudslide,<br>sinkhole and others specified in your<br>policy. Check your policy for a complete<br>list of perils excluded.</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>x</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>\n<!-- /wp:table -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Disasters that are not covered</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Floods.</strong>&nbsp;Flood damage is excluded under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Separate flood insurance coverage, however, is available for both homeowners and renters as a separate policy both from the&nbsp;National Flood Insurance Program&nbsp;(NFIP) and from a few private insurers. Learn more&nbsp;about flood insurance—whether you need it, how to get it, and more.</li><li><strong>Earthquakes.</strong>&nbsp;Earthquake coverage is available from most insurance companies as a separate policy or an endorsement to your homeowners or renters policy. Learn more&nbsp;about earthquake insurance.</li><li><strong>Maintenance damage.</strong>&nbsp;It is your responsibility to maintain your home and take reasonable precautions to protect your home from damage. Your insurance policy will not cover damage due to lack of maintenance,&nbsp;mold&nbsp;or infestation from termites or other pests.</li><li><strong>Sewer Backup.</strong>&nbsp;Sewer backups are not covered under a typical homeowners insurance policy, nor are they covered by flood insurance. This type of coverage must be purchased either as a separate product or as an endorsement to a homeowners policy, usually at a nominal cost. Learn more&nbsp;about sewers and sewer backup insurance.</li></ol>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.iii.org/article/which-disasters-are-covered-by-homeowners-insurance\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Which disasters are covered by homeowners insurance?','','inherit','closed','closed','','2681-revision-v1','','','2022-08-15 15:08:45','2022-08-15 15:08:45','',2681,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2722',0,'revision','',0),(2725,1,'2022-10-12 15:44:43','2022-10-12 15:44:43','','Money-2','','inherit','closed','closed','','money-2-7','','','2022-10-12 15:44:43','2022-10-12 15:44:43','',2724,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Money-2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2726,1,'2022-10-12 15:49:56','2022-10-12 15:49:56','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2725,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Money-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2725\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Saving money is not as easy as it sounds, especially when running a business and there are expenses here and there. However, learning to save money as an entrepreneur is one of the essentials to running a business successfully.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You need to save money to grow money. So if you find your business going off track with finances, you should sit back and look for the best ways to save money.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Fortunately, there are different ways to save money as an entrepreneur, build your business and still bring in profits. Here are some money-saving ideas:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Ways to Save Money In Your Business</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>1. Outsource </strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We’ve all heard this word before. Deciding to take up an office space, employ staff, and pay salaries takes a massive chunk of your funds compared to outsourcing. Sometimes, it’s better financially to outsource and get external people that will do the same job for you like a staff.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>2. Financial planning</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One way to take control of your finances is by writing down your plans. Make a plan of where you started and how much profit you plan to make and a backup plan. Writing your plans helps you stay accountable and make better financial decisions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>3. Low marketing budget</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another way to learn how to save in your business is by reducing the amount of money you spend on paid ads, especially when you do not see the results you desire. Go for other forms of advertising with lower costs like social media content creation, blogging, local SEO, email marketing, referrals, etc.<br></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>4. Buy in bulk</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bulk purchases will save you money on delivery and cost, especially on items that you buy frequently. It also means you might not need to purchase the product for a few more weeks or months, depending on the product.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>5. Cut down some expenses </strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Perks are great and are an important component of company culture. However, some perks might be costing you a lot as a business especially if you are not in a good place revenue-wise. Hence, you need to find a way to reduce the not-so-necessary perks and save the business money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>6. Seek business advice</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Many successful businesses also struggled at some point, so be sure to leverage their success story. Seek financial advice and ideas from successful people in your field; you can learn something from them. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can save money through other ways like getting a sponsor, especially for events where you can exchange favours with each other, swapping a product or a service, and negotiating with vendors for lower prices.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Bottom Line</strong>&nbsp;</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Make a plan of how much you want to save, then start by cutting down huge expenses, opting for fairly new equipment where useful rather than new ones, and adding old-fashioned marketing to the mix such as word of mouth, getting recommendations etc.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can also use free technology to your advantage. There are a lot of free software and applications to organize, plan and make your business operations seamless, hence saving you both money and time. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://cowrywise.com/blog/save-money-in-business/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','6 Ways to Save Money in Your Business','','inherit','closed','closed','','2724-revision-v1','','','2022-10-12 15:49:56','2022-10-12 15:49:56','',2724,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2726',0,'revision','',0),(2727,1,'2022-10-12 20:58:17','2022-10-12 20:58:17','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2728,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Money-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2728\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">5 ways to double your assets through investment</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Doubling money is a prospect that few people would turn down, and it isn’t necessarily that difficult to achieve. There are actually various ways to go about making this a reality, depending on your time line and tolerance for risk. You don’t need to buy speculative investments to double your money. A carefully balanced portfolio or even one just filled with super low-risk bonds can get the job done—provided that you are patient and not in a huge rush.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>There are five key ways to double your money, ranging from a conservative strategy of investing in savings bonds to an aggressive approach involving speculative assets.</li><li>The classic approach of doubling your money by investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds is probably the one that applies to most investors.</li><li>Investing to double your money can be done safely over several years, but for those who are impatient, there’s more of a risk of losing most or all of their money. </li><li>Be honest about your risk tolerance. Don’t let greed and fear have an adverse impact on your investment decisions, and be extremely wary of get-rich-quick schemes.</li><li>One of the best ways to double your money is to take advantage of retirement and tax-advantaged accounts offered by employers, notably 401(k)s.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Five Ways to Double Your Money</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Doubling your money is actually a realistic goal that most investors can strive toward, and it is not as daunting a prospect as it may seem initially for a new investor. There are a few caveats, however:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Be very honest with yourself (and your investment advisor, if you have one) about your risk tolerance. Finding out that you don’t have the stomach for volatility when the market plunges 20% is the worst possible time to make this discovery and may prove detrimental to your financial well-being.</li><li>Don’t let the two emotions that drive most investors—greed and fear—have an adverse impact on your investment decisions.</li><li>Be extremely wary about get-rich-quick schemes that promise you “guaranteed” sky-high results with minimal risk, because there’s no such thing. Since there are probably many more investment scams out there than there are sure bets, be suspicious whenever you’re promised results that appear too good to be true. Whether it’s your broker, your brother-in-law, or a late-night infomercial, take the time to make sure that someone is not using <em>you</em> to double <em>their</em> money.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-11\">Broadly speaking, there are five ways to double your money. The method you choose depends largely on your appetite for risk and your time line for investing. You may also consider adopting a mix of these strategies to achieve your goal of doubling your money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\"><strong>1. The Classic Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\">Investors who have been around for a while will remember the classic Smith Barney commercials from the 1980s in which British actor John Houseman informs viewers in his unmistakable accent that “they make money the old-fashioned way—they earn it.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">When it comes to the most traditional way of doubling your money, that commercial is not too far from the truth. The time-tested way to double your money over a reasonable amount of time is to invest in a solid, balanced portfolio that’s diversified between blue-chip stocks and investment-grade bonds.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">The S&amp;P 500 Index—the most widely followed index of blue-chip stocks—returned about 9.8% annually (including dividends) from 1928 to 2020, while investment-grade corporate bonds returned 7.0% annually over this 93-year period.1 Thus, a classic 60/40 portfolio (60% equities, 40% bonds) would have returned about 8.7% annually during this time. Based on the Rule of 72, such a portfolio should double in about 8.3 years and quadruple in approximately 16.5 years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Note, however, that a significant amount of volatility generally accompanies such sterling results. Investors should brace themselves for occasional sharp drawdowns, such as the 35% plunge in the S&amp;P 500 within a six-week period in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic erupted worldwide.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">In addition, very high returns compared with the historical norm may reduce the potential for future returns. For example, the S&amp;P 500 recovered from its 2020 plunge in record time and powered its way to new record highs by year-end 2020. Although it returned a jaw-dropping total return of 100% from 2019 to 2021, such stellar returns may mean that future returns from the S&amp;P 500 could be significantly lower.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\"><strong>What About Real Estate?</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">Real estate is another traditional way to build wealth, although it is a far less attractive proposition at times like the present, when housing prices in North America have surged to record levels in many regions. The prospect of rising interest rates also reduces the appeal of real estate investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">That said, during a real estate boom, the prospect of doubling one’s money proves irresistible to many investors because the huge amount of leverage provided from mortgage financing can really juice up returns. For example, a 20% down payment on an investment property worth $500,000 would require an investor to plunk down $100,000 and get a mortgage for the balance of $400,000. If the property appreciates 20% to $600,000 in the next few years, the investor now has equity worth $200,000 in it, which represents a doubling of the original $100,000 investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\"><strong>2. The Contrarian Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-32\">Even the most unadventurous investor knows that there comes a time when you must buy—not because everyone is getting in on a good thing, but because everyone is getting out.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-34\">Just as great athletes go through slumps when many fans turn their backs, the stock prices of otherwise great companies occasionally go through slumps, which accelerate as fickle investors bail out. As Baron Rothschild supposedly once said, smart investors “buy when there is blood in the streets, even if the blood is their own.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">Nobody is arguing that you should buy garbage stocks. The point is that there are times when good investments become oversold, which presents a buying opportunity for investors who have done their homework.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">Valuation metrics used to gauge whether a stock may be oversold include a company’s price-to-earnings ratio and book value. Both measures have well-established historical norms for the broad markets and for specific industries. When companies slip well below these historical averages for superficial or systemic reasons, smart investors smell an opportunity to double their money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-40\">Being contrarian means that one is going against the prevailing trend. Therefore, it requires a greater degree of risk tolerance and a substantial amount of due diligence and research. As such, a contrarian strategy is best left to very experienced investors and is not recommended for a conservative or inexperienced investor.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-42\"><strong>3. The Safe Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-43\">Just as the fast lane and the slow lane on the highway will eventually get you to the same place, there are quick and slow ways to double your money. If you prefer to play it safe, bonds can be a less hair-raising journey to the same destination.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-45\">Consider zero-coupon bonds, for example. For the uninitiated, zero-coupon bonds may sound intimidating. In reality, they’re simple to understand. Instead of purchasing a bond that rewards you with a regular interest payment, you buy a bond at a discount to its eventual value at maturity.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">One hidden benefit is the absence of reinvestment risk. With standard coupon bonds, there are the challenges and risks of reinvesting the interest payments as they’re received. With zero-coupon bonds, there’s only one payoff, and it comes when the bond matures. On the flip side, zero-coupon bonds are very sensitive to changes in interest rates and can lose value as interest rates rise; this is a risk factor to be considered by an investor who does not intend to hold a zero-coupon bond to maturity.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-51\"><strong>4. The Speculative Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-52\">Although slow and steady might work for some investors, others find themselves falling asleep at the wheel. For folks with a high degree of risk tolerance and some investment capital that they can afford to lose, the fastest way to supersize the nest egg may be the use of aggressive strategies such as options, margin trading, penny stocks, and in recent years, cryptocurrencies. All can super-shrink a nest egg just as quickly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-54\">Stock options, such as simple puts and calls, can be used to speculate on any company’s stock. For many investors, especially those who have their fingers on the pulse of a specific industry, options can turbocharge a portfolio’s performance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-56\">Each stock option potentially represents 100 shares of stock. This means that a company’s price might need to increase only a small percentage for an investor to hit one out of the park. Just be careful and be sure to do your homework before trying it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-58\">For those who don’t want to learn the ins and outs of options but do want to leverage their faith or doubts about a particular stock, there’s the option of buying on margin or selling a stock short. Both of these methods allow investors to essentially borrow money from a brokerage house to buy or sell more shares than they actually have, which in turn raises their potential profits substantially. This method is not for the faint of heart. A margin call can back you into a corner, and short selling can generate infinite losses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-60\">Lastly, extreme bargain hunting can turn pennies into dollars. You can roll the dice on one of the numerous former blue-chip companies that have sunk to less than a dollar. Or, you can sink some money into a company that looks like the next big thing. Penny stocks can double your money in a single trading day. Just keep in mind that the low prices of these stocks reflect the sentiment of most investors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-62\">As Bitcoin has grown in popularity and become more mainstream, other cryptocurrencies have also emerged in recent years as one of the favored ways for speculators to make a quick buck. Although Bitcoin surged 60% in 2021, its performance pales in comparison with that of as many as 10 other cryptocurrencies (with a market capitalization of at least $10 billion) that soared 400% or more in 2021, such as Ethereum, Cardano, Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Solana, and Terra. (Solana and Terra gained more than 9,000% in 2021 but have seen sharp declines in 2022.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-64\">Unfortunately, the cryptocurrency arena is a fertile hunting ground for scamsters, and there are numerous instances of crypto investors losing a great deal of money through fraud. Would-be cryptocurrency investors should therefore take the utmost care when putting their hard-earned money into any cryptocurrency.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-66\"><strong>5. The Best Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-67\">Although it’s not nearly as fun as watching your favorite stock on the evening news, the undisputed heavyweight champ is an employer’s matching contribution in a 401(k) or another employer-sponsored retirement plan. It’s not sexy, and it won’t wow the neighbors, but getting an automatic 50 cents for every dollar you save is tough to beat.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-69\">Even better is the fact that the money going into your plan comes right off the top of what your employer reports to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For most Americans, this means that each dollar invested costs them only 65 to 75 cents.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-71\">If you don’t have access to a 401(k) plan, you still can invest in an individual retirement account (IRA), either traditional or Roth. You won’t get a company match, but the tax benefit alone is substantial. A traditional IRA has the same immediate tax benefit as a 401(k). A Roth IRA is taxed in the year when the money is invested, but when it’s withdrawn at retirement, no taxes are due on the principal or the profits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Either type of IRA is a good deal for the taxpayer. But if you’re young, think about that Roth IRA. Zero taxes on your capital gains? That’s an easy way to get a higher effective return. If your current income is low, the government will even effectively match some portion of your retirement savings. The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit reduces your tax bill by 10% to 50% of your contribution.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-75\">Time Horizon and Risk Tolerance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-76\">Your investing time horizon is an extremely important determinant of the amount of investment risk that you can handle and is generally dependent on your age and<em> </em>investment objectives. For example, a young professional likely has a long investment horizon, so they can take on a significant amount of risk because time is on their side when it comes to bouncing back from any losses. But what if they’re saving to buy a house within the next year? In that case, their risk tolerance will be low because they cannot afford to lose much capital in the event of a sudden market correction, which would jeopardize their primary investment objective of buying a house.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-78\">Likewise, conventional investing strategy suggests that people in or near retirement should have their funds deployed in safe investments like bonds and bank deposits, but in an era of extremely low interest rates, that strategy carries its own risk, mainly of the loss of purchasing power through inflation. In addition, a retired individual in their 60s with a decent pension and no mortgage or other liabilities probably would have a reasonable amount of risk tolerance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-80\">Let’s now turn to the time and risk attributes of an investment itself. An investment that has the potential to double your money in a year or two is undoubtedly more exciting than one that may do so in 20 years. The issue here is that an exciting, high-growth investment will almost certainly be far more volatile than a staid, “Steady Eddy” type of investment. The higher the volatility of an investment, the riskier it is. This increased volatility or risk is the price that an investor pays for the allure of higher returns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Important:</strong> The risk-return tradeoff refers to the fact that there is a strong positive correlation between risk and return. The higher the expected returns from an investment, the greater the risk; the lower the expected returns, the lower the risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-84\">How Long Does It Take to Double Your Money?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-85\">The Rule of 72 is a well-known shortcut for calculating how long it will take for an investment to double if its growth compounds annually. Just divide 72 by your expected annual rate of return. The result is the number of years that it will take to double your money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-87\">When dealing with low rates of return, the Rule of 72 provides a fairly accurate estimate of doubling time. However, that estimate becomes less precise at very high return rates, as can be seen in the chart below, which compares the estimates for “time to double” (in years) generated by the Rule of 72 with the actual number of years that it would take for an investment to double in value.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2729,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2729\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What’s the single best way to double your money?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It really depends on your risk tolerance, investment time horizon, and personal preferences. A balanced approach that involves investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds works for most people. However, those with higher risk appetites might prefer dabbling in more speculative stuff like small-cap stocks or cryptocurrencies, while others may prefer to double their money through real estate investments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Can investors use all five ways in the quest to double their money?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Yes, of course. If your employer matches contributions to your retirement plan, take advantage of that perk. Invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds and consider being a contrarian when the market plunges lower or rockets higher. If you have the risk appetite and want some sizzle on your steak, allocate a small portion of your portfolio to more aggressive strategies and investments (after doing your research and due diligence, of course). Save on a regular basis to buy a house and keep the down payment in a savings account or other relatively risk-free investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Should I invest in cryptocurrencies if I am a conservative investor with very low risk tolerance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">No, you should not invest in cryptocurrencies if you are a conservative investor with very low risk tolerance. Cryptocurrencies are very speculative investments, and although many of them had huge returns in 2021, their tremendous volatility makes them unsuitable for conservative investors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/09/five-ways-double-investment.asp\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Double Your Money?','','publish','closed','closed','','how-to-double-your-money','','','2022-10-12 20:58:17','2022-10-12 20:58:17','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2727',0,'post','',0),(2728,1,'2022-10-12 15:51:42','2022-10-12 15:51:42','','Money-3','','inherit','closed','closed','','money-3-5','','','2022-10-12 15:51:42','2022-10-12 15:51:42','',2727,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Money-3.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2729,1,'2022-10-12 16:15:06','2022-10-12 16:15:06','','image','','inherit','closed','closed','','image-7','','','2022-10-12 16:15:06','2022-10-12 16:15:06','',2727,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2730,1,'2022-10-12 20:58:17','2022-10-12 20:58:17','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2728,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Money-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2728\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">5 ways to double your assets through investment</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Doubling money is a prospect that few people would turn down, and it isn’t necessarily that difficult to achieve. There are actually various ways to go about making this a reality, depending on your time line and tolerance for risk. You don’t need to buy speculative investments to double your money. A carefully balanced portfolio or even one just filled with super low-risk bonds can get the job done—provided that you are patient and not in a huge rush.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>There are five key ways to double your money, ranging from a conservative strategy of investing in savings bonds to an aggressive approach involving speculative assets.</li><li>The classic approach of doubling your money by investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds is probably the one that applies to most investors.</li><li>Investing to double your money can be done safely over several years, but for those who are impatient, there’s more of a risk of losing most or all of their money. </li><li>Be honest about your risk tolerance. Don’t let greed and fear have an adverse impact on your investment decisions, and be extremely wary of get-rich-quick schemes.</li><li>One of the best ways to double your money is to take advantage of retirement and tax-advantaged accounts offered by employers, notably 401(k)s.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Five Ways to Double Your Money</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Doubling your money is actually a realistic goal that most investors can strive toward, and it is not as daunting a prospect as it may seem initially for a new investor. There are a few caveats, however:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Be very honest with yourself (and your investment advisor, if you have one) about your risk tolerance. Finding out that you don’t have the stomach for volatility when the market plunges 20% is the worst possible time to make this discovery and may prove detrimental to your financial well-being.</li><li>Don’t let the two emotions that drive most investors—greed and fear—have an adverse impact on your investment decisions.</li><li>Be extremely wary about get-rich-quick schemes that promise you “guaranteed” sky-high results with minimal risk, because there’s no such thing. Since there are probably many more investment scams out there than there are sure bets, be suspicious whenever you’re promised results that appear too good to be true. Whether it’s your broker, your brother-in-law, or a late-night infomercial, take the time to make sure that someone is not using <em>you</em> to double <em>their</em> money.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-11\">Broadly speaking, there are five ways to double your money. The method you choose depends largely on your appetite for risk and your time line for investing. You may also consider adopting a mix of these strategies to achieve your goal of doubling your money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\"><strong>1. The Classic Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\">Investors who have been around for a while will remember the classic Smith Barney commercials from the 1980s in which British actor John Houseman informs viewers in his unmistakable accent that “they make money the old-fashioned way—they earn it.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">When it comes to the most traditional way of doubling your money, that commercial is not too far from the truth. The time-tested way to double your money over a reasonable amount of time is to invest in a solid, balanced portfolio that’s diversified between blue-chip stocks and investment-grade bonds.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">The S&amp;P 500 Index—the most widely followed index of blue-chip stocks—returned about 9.8% annually (including dividends) from 1928 to 2020, while investment-grade corporate bonds returned 7.0% annually over this 93-year period.1 Thus, a classic 60/40 portfolio (60% equities, 40% bonds) would have returned about 8.7% annually during this time. Based on the Rule of 72, such a portfolio should double in about 8.3 years and quadruple in approximately 16.5 years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Note, however, that a significant amount of volatility generally accompanies such sterling results. Investors should brace themselves for occasional sharp drawdowns, such as the 35% plunge in the S&amp;P 500 within a six-week period in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic erupted worldwide.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">In addition, very high returns compared with the historical norm may reduce the potential for future returns. For example, the S&amp;P 500 recovered from its 2020 plunge in record time and powered its way to new record highs by year-end 2020. Although it returned a jaw-dropping total return of 100% from 2019 to 2021, such stellar returns may mean that future returns from the S&amp;P 500 could be significantly lower.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\"><strong>What About Real Estate?</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">Real estate is another traditional way to build wealth, although it is a far less attractive proposition at times like the present, when housing prices in North America have surged to record levels in many regions. The prospect of rising interest rates also reduces the appeal of real estate investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">That said, during a real estate boom, the prospect of doubling one’s money proves irresistible to many investors because the huge amount of leverage provided from mortgage financing can really juice up returns. For example, a 20% down payment on an investment property worth $500,000 would require an investor to plunk down $100,000 and get a mortgage for the balance of $400,000. If the property appreciates 20% to $600,000 in the next few years, the investor now has equity worth $200,000 in it, which represents a doubling of the original $100,000 investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\"><strong>2. The Contrarian Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-32\">Even the most unadventurous investor knows that there comes a time when you must buy—not because everyone is getting in on a good thing, but because everyone is getting out.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-34\">Just as great athletes go through slumps when many fans turn their backs, the stock prices of otherwise great companies occasionally go through slumps, which accelerate as fickle investors bail out. As Baron Rothschild supposedly once said, smart investors “buy when there is blood in the streets, even if the blood is their own.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">Nobody is arguing that you should buy garbage stocks. The point is that there are times when good investments become oversold, which presents a buying opportunity for investors who have done their homework.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">Valuation metrics used to gauge whether a stock may be oversold include a company’s price-to-earnings ratio and book value. Both measures have well-established historical norms for the broad markets and for specific industries. When companies slip well below these historical averages for superficial or systemic reasons, smart investors smell an opportunity to double their money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-40\">Being contrarian means that one is going against the prevailing trend. Therefore, it requires a greater degree of risk tolerance and a substantial amount of due diligence and research. As such, a contrarian strategy is best left to very experienced investors and is not recommended for a conservative or inexperienced investor.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-42\"><strong>3. The Safe Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-43\">Just as the fast lane and the slow lane on the highway will eventually get you to the same place, there are quick and slow ways to double your money. If you prefer to play it safe, bonds can be a less hair-raising journey to the same destination.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-45\">Consider zero-coupon bonds, for example. For the uninitiated, zero-coupon bonds may sound intimidating. In reality, they’re simple to understand. Instead of purchasing a bond that rewards you with a regular interest payment, you buy a bond at a discount to its eventual value at maturity.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">One hidden benefit is the absence of reinvestment risk. With standard coupon bonds, there are the challenges and risks of reinvesting the interest payments as they’re received. With zero-coupon bonds, there’s only one payoff, and it comes when the bond matures. On the flip side, zero-coupon bonds are very sensitive to changes in interest rates and can lose value as interest rates rise; this is a risk factor to be considered by an investor who does not intend to hold a zero-coupon bond to maturity.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-51\"><strong>4. The Speculative Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-52\">Although slow and steady might work for some investors, others find themselves falling asleep at the wheel. For folks with a high degree of risk tolerance and some investment capital that they can afford to lose, the fastest way to supersize the nest egg may be the use of aggressive strategies such as options, margin trading, penny stocks, and in recent years, cryptocurrencies. All can super-shrink a nest egg just as quickly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-54\">Stock options, such as simple puts and calls, can be used to speculate on any company’s stock. For many investors, especially those who have their fingers on the pulse of a specific industry, options can turbocharge a portfolio’s performance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-56\">Each stock option potentially represents 100 shares of stock. This means that a company’s price might need to increase only a small percentage for an investor to hit one out of the park. Just be careful and be sure to do your homework before trying it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-58\">For those who don’t want to learn the ins and outs of options but do want to leverage their faith or doubts about a particular stock, there’s the option of buying on margin or selling a stock short. Both of these methods allow investors to essentially borrow money from a brokerage house to buy or sell more shares than they actually have, which in turn raises their potential profits substantially. This method is not for the faint of heart. A margin call can back you into a corner, and short selling can generate infinite losses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-60\">Lastly, extreme bargain hunting can turn pennies into dollars. You can roll the dice on one of the numerous former blue-chip companies that have sunk to less than a dollar. Or, you can sink some money into a company that looks like the next big thing. Penny stocks can double your money in a single trading day. Just keep in mind that the low prices of these stocks reflect the sentiment of most investors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-62\">As Bitcoin has grown in popularity and become more mainstream, other cryptocurrencies have also emerged in recent years as one of the favored ways for speculators to make a quick buck. Although Bitcoin surged 60% in 2021, its performance pales in comparison with that of as many as 10 other cryptocurrencies (with a market capitalization of at least $10 billion) that soared 400% or more in 2021, such as Ethereum, Cardano, Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Solana, and Terra. (Solana and Terra gained more than 9,000% in 2021 but have seen sharp declines in 2022.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-64\">Unfortunately, the cryptocurrency arena is a fertile hunting ground for scamsters, and there are numerous instances of crypto investors losing a great deal of money through fraud. Would-be cryptocurrency investors should therefore take the utmost care when putting their hard-earned money into any cryptocurrency.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-66\"><strong>5. The Best Way</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-67\">Although it’s not nearly as fun as watching your favorite stock on the evening news, the undisputed heavyweight champ is an employer’s matching contribution in a 401(k) or another employer-sponsored retirement plan. It’s not sexy, and it won’t wow the neighbors, but getting an automatic 50 cents for every dollar you save is tough to beat.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-69\">Even better is the fact that the money going into your plan comes right off the top of what your employer reports to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For most Americans, this means that each dollar invested costs them only 65 to 75 cents.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-71\">If you don’t have access to a 401(k) plan, you still can invest in an individual retirement account (IRA), either traditional or Roth. You won’t get a company match, but the tax benefit alone is substantial. A traditional IRA has the same immediate tax benefit as a 401(k). A Roth IRA is taxed in the year when the money is invested, but when it’s withdrawn at retirement, no taxes are due on the principal or the profits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Either type of IRA is a good deal for the taxpayer. But if you’re young, think about that Roth IRA. Zero taxes on your capital gains? That’s an easy way to get a higher effective return. If your current income is low, the government will even effectively match some portion of your retirement savings. The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit reduces your tax bill by 10% to 50% of your contribution.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-75\">Time Horizon and Risk Tolerance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-76\">Your investing time horizon is an extremely important determinant of the amount of investment risk that you can handle and is generally dependent on your age and<em> </em>investment objectives. For example, a young professional likely has a long investment horizon, so they can take on a significant amount of risk because time is on their side when it comes to bouncing back from any losses. But what if they’re saving to buy a house within the next year? In that case, their risk tolerance will be low because they cannot afford to lose much capital in the event of a sudden market correction, which would jeopardize their primary investment objective of buying a house.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-78\">Likewise, conventional investing strategy suggests that people in or near retirement should have their funds deployed in safe investments like bonds and bank deposits, but in an era of extremely low interest rates, that strategy carries its own risk, mainly of the loss of purchasing power through inflation. In addition, a retired individual in their 60s with a decent pension and no mortgage or other liabilities probably would have a reasonable amount of risk tolerance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-80\">Let’s now turn to the time and risk attributes of an investment itself. An investment that has the potential to double your money in a year or two is undoubtedly more exciting than one that may do so in 20 years. The issue here is that an exciting, high-growth investment will almost certainly be far more volatile than a staid, “Steady Eddy” type of investment. The higher the volatility of an investment, the riskier it is. This increased volatility or risk is the price that an investor pays for the allure of higher returns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Important:</strong> The risk-return tradeoff refers to the fact that there is a strong positive correlation between risk and return. The higher the expected returns from an investment, the greater the risk; the lower the expected returns, the lower the risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-84\">How Long Does It Take to Double Your Money?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-85\">The Rule of 72 is a well-known shortcut for calculating how long it will take for an investment to double if its growth compounds annually. Just divide 72 by your expected annual rate of return. The result is the number of years that it will take to double your money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-87\">When dealing with low rates of return, the Rule of 72 provides a fairly accurate estimate of doubling time. However, that estimate becomes less precise at very high return rates, as can be seen in the chart below, which compares the estimates for “time to double” (in years) generated by the Rule of 72 with the actual number of years that it would take for an investment to double in value.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2729,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2729\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What’s the single best way to double your money?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It really depends on your risk tolerance, investment time horizon, and personal preferences. A balanced approach that involves investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds works for most people. However, those with higher risk appetites might prefer dabbling in more speculative stuff like small-cap stocks or cryptocurrencies, while others may prefer to double their money through real estate investments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Can investors use all five ways in the quest to double their money?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Yes, of course. If your employer matches contributions to your retirement plan, take advantage of that perk. Invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds and consider being a contrarian when the market plunges lower or rockets higher. If you have the risk appetite and want some sizzle on your steak, allocate a small portion of your portfolio to more aggressive strategies and investments (after doing your research and due diligence, of course). Save on a regular basis to buy a house and keep the down payment in a savings account or other relatively risk-free investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Should I invest in cryptocurrencies if I am a conservative investor with very low risk tolerance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">No, you should not invest in cryptocurrencies if you are a conservative investor with very low risk tolerance. Cryptocurrencies are very speculative investments, and although many of them had huge returns in 2021, their tremendous volatility makes them unsuitable for conservative investors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/09/five-ways-double-investment.asp\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Double Your Money?','','inherit','closed','closed','','2727-revision-v1','','','2022-10-12 20:58:17','2022-10-12 20:58:17','',2727,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2730',0,'revision','',0),(2731,1,'2022-10-14 20:16:47','2022-10-14 20:16:47','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How to get things done in your life correctly and on time?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2732,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Productivity.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2732\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"068c\">The day always comes when you absolutely must get something done. You know the kind of thing I mean. Getting that proposal to a customer. Finishing the report the boss expects tomorrow. The bills coming due must be paid on time. These are the kinds of things that must get done now, not later.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"f2a0\">How is it our productivity can suddenly spike at times? We get a burst of energy that helps us complete the task. This usually happens when you are about to go on vacation. You know you must get certain things done before you leave, and you will get them done. You always do somehow!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"c039\">Think about it. What does each of these things have in common? I see three factors. One factor is that each is important, on the verge of becoming urgent. A second factor is each needs to be done. Otherwise, you may suffer unpleasant consequences. And thirdly, each has a deadline to be met. These three factors create a “get it done” environment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"c039\"><strong><em>“The secret of getting things done is to&nbsp;act!” Dante Alighieri</em></strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"b197\"><strong>Get it done, or not?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"78b9\">The three factors for creating a high-productivity, “get-it-done” environment&nbsp;can be listed as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Important and urgent</li><li>Unpleasant consequences</li><li>Deadline</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"b313\">Now let’s contrast these must-do things with more routine activities. What you may need to do could be important, but it has less urgency around it. Few consequences, if any, arise if the activity is incomplete. Since it is not urgent, you believe you have plenty of time, so there is no reason to rush.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"98df\">You can sum this lower-productivity environment list up as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Little or no urgency</li><li>Inconsequential consequences</li><li>Distant or no deadline</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"e59a\">Do you see the clear pattern emerging here? When you have something to lose, you get it done. When you have little to lose, you say, “Eh, what’s the rush?”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"c970\">“You can’t build a reputation on what you are&nbsp;<strong>going to do</strong>.” Henry Ford</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"339c\">If you want to speed things along, use the factors from the get-it-done environment. If you don’t care, be sure to include the three low-productivity factors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"d0c3\"><strong>“Get it done” tactics</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"de66\">To boost your productivity, all you need to do is take each of the three factors from the “get it done” environment and turn them into tactics. Whenever you put one of these tactics into play, things begin to happen.&nbsp;<strong>By incorporating all three of the tactics, you create a highly productive environment.</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"bb28\">For example, take a current project that seems stalled and inject one of the three “Get it done” factors. Let’s say you want to write an article about something, and you have a couple of weeks to work on it. Inject one or more of the three tactics into your requirements for the article. You can increase the sense of urgency around it by thinking about how important it is to someone else, to you, or how enjoyable it can become.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"ded6\">You could consider the consequences of how it may benefit or hurt you. Or you can put a deadline on how much of the article you will have done each day or week until it is complete.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"fe60\">If you are in a management position and want to&nbsp;<strong>help an employee become more productive</strong>, inject one of the three factors into the project. If the project is large and complex and a long way off, create intermediate points to help them stay on track.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"2d11\">For example, if the project is not due for a month, create weekly check-ins regarding the progress made at each interval. Check-ins will help establish a&nbsp;<strong>sense of urgency</strong>&nbsp;to ensure the project moves along. If it is not moving along well, insert one of the other tactics such as a potential consequence if they fall behind schedule. You did give them a deadline for some portion of the work to be completed as well as a final deadline, didn’t you?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"9176\"><strong>Final words</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"41b3\">While this article is about work or the bigger things in life, the same tactics work in other situations as well. Try one or more of them on yourself with something you want to accomplish. It could be taking care of your health, exercising, or spending time with your spouse.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"67c1\">You may want to try them with your children, friends, or for anything else you want to get done or have someone else do.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"68b9\">A simple analogy to using the three tactics is:&nbsp;<strong>when you apply the tactics, it is like putting your foot on the gas</strong>. When you don’t use the tactics, you are putting your foot on the brakes. Which makes the most sense for that project you need to get done — putting your foot on the gas or the brakes?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://medium.com/technology-hits/the-3-simple-things-needed-to-easily-increase-your-productivity-for-any-task-3e1d61a44ea1\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','The 3 Simple Things Needed to Easily Increase Your Productivity for Any Task','','publish','closed','closed','','the-3-simple-things-needed-to-easily-increase-your-productivity-for-any-task','','','2022-10-17 22:47:36','2022-10-17 22:47:36','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2731',0,'post','',0),(2732,1,'2022-10-14 20:10:45','2022-10-14 20:10:45','','Productivity','','inherit','closed','closed','','productivity-5','','','2022-10-14 20:10:45','2022-10-14 20:10:45','',2731,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Productivity.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2733,1,'2022-10-14 20:16:47','2022-10-14 20:16:47','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How to get things done in your life correctly and on time</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2732,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Productivity.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2732\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"068c\">The day always comes when you absolutely must get something done. You know the kind of thing I mean. Getting that proposal to a customer. Finishing the report the boss expects tomorrow. The bills coming due must be paid on time. These are the kinds of things that must get done now, not later.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"f2a0\">How is it our productivity can suddenly spike at times? We get a burst of energy that helps us complete the task. This usually happens when you are about to go on vacation. You know you must get certain things done before you leave, and you will get them done. You always do somehow!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"c039\">Think about it. What does each of these things have in common? I see three factors. One factor is that each is important, on the verge of becoming urgent. A second factor is each needs to be done. Otherwise, you may suffer unpleasant consequences. And thirdly, each has a deadline to be met. These three factors create a “get it done” environment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"c039\"><strong><em>“The secret of getting things done is to act!” Dante Alighieri</em></strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"b197\"><strong>Get it done, or not?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"78b9\">The three factors for creating a high-productivity, “get-it-done” environment can be listed as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Important and urgent</li><li>Unpleasant consequences</li><li>Deadline</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"b313\">Now let’s contrast these must-do things with more routine activities. What you may need to do could be important, but it has less urgency around it. Few consequences, if any, arise if the activity is incomplete. Since it is not urgent, you believe you have plenty of time, so there is no reason to rush.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"98df\">You can sum this lower-productivity environment list up as:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Little or no urgency</li><li>Inconsequential consequences</li><li>Distant or no deadline</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"e59a\">Do you see the clear pattern emerging here? When you have something to lose, you get it done. When you have little to lose, you say, “Eh, what’s the rush?”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"c970\">“You can’t build a reputation on what you are&nbsp;<strong>going to do</strong>.” Henry Ford</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"339c\">If you want to speed things along, use the factors from the get-it-done environment. If you don’t care, be sure to include the three low-productivity factors.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"d0c3\"><strong>“Get it done” tactics</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"de66\">To boost your productivity, all you need to do is take each of the three factors from the “get it done” environment and turn them into tactics. Whenever you put one of these tactics into play, things begin to happen.&nbsp;<strong>By incorporating all three of the tactics, you create a highly productive environment.</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"bb28\">For example, take a current project that seems stalled and inject one of the three “Get it done” factors. Let’s say you want to write an article about something, and you have a couple of weeks to work on it. Inject one or more of the three tactics into your requirements for the article. You can increase the sense of urgency around it by thinking about how important it is to someone else, to you, or how enjoyable it can become.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"ded6\">You could consider the consequences of how it may benefit or hurt you. Or you can put a deadline on how much of the article you will have done each day or week until it is complete.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"fe60\">If you are in a management position and want to&nbsp;<strong>help an employee become more productive</strong>, inject one of the three factors into the project. If the project is large and complex and a long way off, create intermediate points to help them stay on track.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"2d11\">For example, if the project is not due for a month, create weekly check-ins regarding the progress made at each interval. Check-ins will help establish a&nbsp;<strong>sense of urgency</strong>&nbsp;to ensure the project moves along. If it is not moving along well, insert one of the other tactics such as a potential consequence if they fall behind schedule. You did give them a deadline for some portion of the work to be completed as well as a final deadline, didn’t you?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"9176\"><strong>Final words</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"41b3\">While this article is about work or the bigger things in life, the same tactics work in other situations as well. Try one or more of them on yourself with something you want to accomplish. It could be taking care of your health, exercising, or spending time with your spouse.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"67c1\">You may want to try them with your children, friends, or for anything else you want to get done or have someone else do.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"68b9\">A simple analogy to using the three tactics is: <strong>when you apply the tactics, it is like putting your foot on the gas</strong>. When you don’t use the tactics, you are putting your foot on the brakes. Which makes the most sense for that project you need to get done — putting your foot on the gas or the brakes?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://medium.com/technology-hits/the-3-simple-things-needed-to-easily-increase-your-productivity-for-any-task-3e1d61a44ea1\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','The 3 Simple Things Needed to Easily Increase Your Productivity for Any Task','','inherit','closed','closed','','2731-revision-v1','','','2022-10-14 20:16:47','2022-10-14 20:16:47','',2731,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2733',0,'revision','',0),(2734,1,'2022-10-14 20:24:00','2022-10-14 20:24:00','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2735,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Home-improvement.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2735\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Thanksgiving is such a wonderful, warm and welcoming holiday! When you have a large family event or gathering at your home for turkey day, you want to be sure that your house offers those same comforts. Here are 6 quick home improvement projects you can complete before Thanksgiving this year!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Check up on appliances</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With a roasting turkey, fluffy rolls, comfort side dishes and sweet pies all needing the attention of the stove and oven, you’ll want to make sure it’s working at its best. Perform some quick maintenance checks on your oven and range. Your washer and dryer will probably be working in over time during the holidays, so you’ll want to make sure they are properly functioning, as well. With a ton of dishes to be washed after the big meal, it’s no time for your dishwasher to be malfunctioning, so give that aquick look around, as well. And finally, your refrigerator is about to be stocked up and probably filled a lot more than normal, and could probably use a simple bit of DIY maintenance, too. Should you run into issues with any of your appliances or need replacements, help is a quick click away.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Fall lawn care</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Let your guests arrive to a beautifully manicured lawn this year. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are several things you can do in the Fall to prepare your garden and lawn for the cooler weather, AND make your landscape an inviting place for Thanksgiving guests.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">General household cleaning</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now, this chore might seem overwhelming. In fact, a dinner for 14 prepared in one day might be nothing, compared to the daunting task of housekeeping! Cleaning up your home and making it tidy for guests doesn’t have to stress you out, take too long or come in between quality time with family and friends.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Holiday lights and decor</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not only is a beautiful landscape and clean, organized home inviting to guests, but holiday lights and decor can really get them into the spirit of the season! Before your guests arrive, add some fun wreaths to your front door. Place simple Thanksgiving or holiday decor up on the mantel and other areas where you’ll be entertaining. Get those Christmas lights up around the house to make it really stand out, and show your festive side with pumpkins and gourds on your porch.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Curb appeal</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The first thing your guests will see is the outside of your home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A quick once over is all that’s required to make your home look like it’s been waiting for guests to arrive. If you want to do a little more work, try these curb appeal hacks to improve your landscape!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Fire up the fireplace</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Fall weather brings a nice drop in temperatures, but it can also leave your guests shivering and uncomfortable. Create a cozy environment by first preparing your fireplace. You can be your own chimney sweep and get that task done in less than a few hours! Ensuring your fireplace is clean and in good working condition will allow you to create a fire without safety concerns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Turn up the heat</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another great way to keep your guests comfortable is to perform quick maintenance on your furnace and heating system. You will want to run this a few days prior to your guests arriving, as a stagnate furnace will need that time to cycle through (and that musky smell needs time to circulate out of your home, too). Offering a warmer environment inside your home will put your guests at ease and allow you to enjoy your quality time much easier.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By taking care of these things prior to Thanksgiving, your home will be a great place to entertain your guests. You’ll keep them happy and comfortable, all while ensuring that your home is safe, clean and in working order. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://portal.fixdrepair.com/blog/home-improvement-before-thanksgiving/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','6 Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before Thanksgiving','','publish','closed','closed','','6-home-improvement-projects-to-complete-before-thanksgiving','','','2022-10-14 20:24:00','2022-10-14 20:24:00','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2734',0,'post','',0),(2735,1,'2022-10-14 20:18:10','2022-10-14 20:18:10','','Home-improvement','','inherit','closed','closed','','home-improvement-4','','','2022-10-14 20:18:10','2022-10-14 20:18:10','',2734,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Home-improvement.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2736,1,'2022-10-14 20:24:00','2022-10-14 20:24:00','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2735,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Home-improvement.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2735\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Thanksgiving is such a wonderful, warm and welcoming holiday! When you have a large family event or gathering at your home for turkey day, you want to be sure that your house offers those same comforts. Here are 6 quick home improvement projects you can complete before Thanksgiving this year!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Check up on appliances</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With a roasting turkey, fluffy rolls, comfort side dishes and sweet pies all needing the attention of the stove and oven, you’ll want to make sure it’s working at its best. Perform some quick maintenance checks on your oven and range. Your washer and dryer will probably be working in over time during the holidays, so you’ll want to make sure they are properly functioning, as well. With a ton of dishes to be washed after the big meal, it’s no time for your dishwasher to be malfunctioning, so give that aquick look around, as well. And finally, your refrigerator is about to be stocked up and probably filled a lot more than normal, and could probably use a simple bit of DIY maintenance, too. Should you run into issues with any of your appliances or need replacements, help is a quick click away.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Fall lawn care</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Let your guests arrive to a beautifully manicured lawn this year. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are several things you can do in the Fall to prepare your garden and lawn for the cooler weather, AND make your landscape an inviting place for Thanksgiving guests.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">General household cleaning</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now, this chore might seem overwhelming. In fact, a dinner for 14 prepared in one day might be nothing, compared to the daunting task of housekeeping! Cleaning up your home and making it tidy for guests doesn’t have to stress you out, take too long or come in between quality time with family and friends.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Holiday lights and decor</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not only is a beautiful landscape and clean, organized home inviting to guests, but holiday lights and decor can really get them into the spirit of the season! Before your guests arrive, add some fun wreaths to your front door. Place simple Thanksgiving or holiday decor up on the mantel and other areas where you’ll be entertaining. Get those Christmas lights up around the house to make it really stand out, and show your festive side with pumpkins and gourds on your porch.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Curb appeal</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The first thing your guests will see is the outside of your home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A quick once over is all that’s required to make your home look like it’s been waiting for guests to arrive. If you want to do a little more work, try these curb appeal hacks to improve your landscape!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Fire up the fireplace</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Fall weather brings a nice drop in temperatures, but it can also leave your guests shivering and uncomfortable. Create a cozy environment by first preparing your fireplace. You can be your own chimney sweep and get that task done in less than a few hours! Ensuring your fireplace is clean and in good working condition will allow you to create a fire without safety concerns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Turn up the heat</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another great way to keep your guests comfortable is to perform quick maintenance on your furnace and heating system. You will want to run this a few days prior to your guests arriving, as a stagnate furnace will need that time to cycle through (and that musky smell needs time to circulate out of your home, too). Offering a warmer environment inside your home will put your guests at ease and allow you to enjoy your quality time much easier.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By taking care of these things prior to Thanksgiving, your home will be a great place to entertain your guests. You’ll keep them happy and comfortable, all while ensuring that your home is safe, clean and in working order. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://portal.fixdrepair.com/blog/home-improvement-before-thanksgiving/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','6 Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before Thanksgiving','','inherit','closed','closed','','2734-revision-v1','','','2022-10-14 20:24:00','2022-10-14 20:24:00','',2734,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2736',0,'revision','',0),(2737,1,'2022-10-14 21:13:30','2022-10-14 21:13:30','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2738,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Small-business.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2738\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">What better way to&nbsp;show customers that you care than to&nbsp;send them a&nbsp;customer appreciation gift? Your competitors might try to&nbsp;win over customers with stale “thank you” emails. You, on&nbsp;the&nbsp;other hand, can leave a&nbsp;deep impression.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The trouble with&nbsp;thank-you&nbsp;gifts is&nbsp;figuring out what to&nbsp;send. You can’t choose something that’s too expensive, nor can you pick something that might be&nbsp;seen as&nbsp;worthless. You have to&nbsp;walk a&nbsp;thin line between price and&nbsp;practicality when selecting&nbsp;thank-you&nbsp;gift ideas.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How to Use Gifts for Marketing?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While the&nbsp;explicit purpose of&nbsp;a&nbsp;customer appreciation gift is&nbsp;to&nbsp;show you care, it&nbsp;has another motive as&nbsp;well: to&nbsp;market your online store. You certainly want customers to&nbsp;feel happy and&nbsp;appreciated, but it&nbsp;would also be&nbsp;nice if&nbsp;they were to&nbsp;recommend your store to&nbsp;their friends.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To&nbsp;use customer appreciation gifts as&nbsp;a&nbsp;marketing tactic, there are a&nbsp;number of&nbsp;things you need to&nbsp;keep in&nbsp;mind.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Gifts vs. discounts</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Using discounts and&nbsp;offers to&nbsp;maximize sales is&nbsp;old hat in&nbsp;e-commerce.&nbsp;The question to&nbsp;ask is: how does a&nbsp;discount compare against a&nbsp;gift in&nbsp;terms of&nbsp;marketing impact?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To&nbsp;answer this question, you’ll have to&nbsp;consider two things:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>How often you offer discounts:</strong>&nbsp;The perceived value of&nbsp;a&nbsp;discount depends on&nbsp;how frequently you offer it. If&nbsp;you have frequent sales and&nbsp;offers, customers might not be&nbsp;too enthusiastic about yet another discount, no&nbsp;matter how steep.</li><li><strong>Discount value and&nbsp;conditions:</strong>&nbsp;A&nbsp;steep discount with liberal terms might end up&nbsp;costing you more than a&nbsp;free gift. On&nbsp;the&nbsp;other hand, if&nbsp;the&nbsp;discount is&nbsp;too low with strict terms, customers might not be&nbsp;interested.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Interestingly, research in&nbsp;consumer psychology indicates that&nbsp;people prefer to&nbsp;get more rather than spend less. A&nbsp;free gift might have higher perceived value since it&nbsp;gives them more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Of&nbsp;course, this only applies if&nbsp;you’re actually telling customers that you’re giving them a&nbsp;gift. This brings us&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;next point.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Explicit vs. secret gifts</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Should you tell customers about the&nbsp;gift or&nbsp;should you just send them a&nbsp;surprise?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are pros and&nbsp;cons to&nbsp;each approach. Telling customers upfront might convince them to&nbsp;make a&nbsp;purchase, especially if&nbsp;they see the&nbsp;gift as&nbsp;a&nbsp;“deal”. At&nbsp;the&nbsp;same time, it&nbsp;robs you of&nbsp;the&nbsp;customer delight that comes with a&nbsp;surprise gift.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">What approach you use will depend on&nbsp;what you hope to&nbsp;achieve with the&nbsp;gift. If&nbsp;your goal is&nbsp;to&nbsp;delight customers, build loyalty, and&nbsp;increase word of&nbsp;mouth (including social media), choose a&nbsp;surprise gift.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">On&nbsp;the&nbsp;other hand, if&nbsp;you want to&nbsp;use gifts as&nbsp;an&nbsp;incentive to&nbsp;buy more, tell customers about it&nbsp;upfront.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Gifting to&nbsp;some vs. gifting to&nbsp;all customers</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another dilemma is&nbsp;figuring out who to&nbsp;gift&nbsp;— some customers or&nbsp;all of&nbsp;them?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Gifting everyone has the&nbsp;obvious cost disadvantage. You might also not realize many benefits from gifting people who are inactive on&nbsp;social media or&nbsp;unlikely to&nbsp;recommend you to&nbsp;friends.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">At&nbsp;the&nbsp;same time, gifting only a&nbsp;few customers might make them feel special&nbsp;— at&nbsp;the&nbsp;cost of&nbsp;other customers. Customer B&nbsp;might wonder why Customer A&nbsp;got a&nbsp;gift and&nbsp;he&nbsp;didn’t. This can create resentment for&nbsp;your brand&nbsp;— the&nbsp;exact opposite purpose of&nbsp;gifting.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Maximize the&nbsp;impact of&nbsp;gifting</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To&nbsp;get the&nbsp;most out of&nbsp;your customer appreciation gifts, there are a&nbsp;few things you should keep in&nbsp;mind:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Customers buy more when there is&nbsp;a&nbsp;“mystery” involved in&nbsp;the&nbsp;purchase, as&nbsp;one&nbsp;University of&nbsp;Miami study&nbsp;discovered. Keeping the&nbsp;gift a&nbsp;secret can help in&nbsp;this regard.</li><li>Customers who receive something free and&nbsp;unexpected are driven to&nbsp;shop more, according to&nbsp;one study. Thus, it&nbsp;might be&nbsp;worth it&nbsp;to&nbsp;lose money upfront on&nbsp;a&nbsp;sale by&nbsp;giving a&nbsp;gift. You can make up&nbsp;for&nbsp;it&nbsp;with repeat purchases.</li><li>Giving away a&nbsp;freebie creates immediate word of&nbsp;mouth, according to&nbsp;an&nbsp;article in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Journal of&nbsp;Marketing. That is&nbsp;especially true if&nbsp;the&nbsp;gift is&nbsp;the&nbsp;first experience the&nbsp;customer has with your brand. Thus, besides your top customers, you can also target&nbsp;first-time&nbsp;buyers when giving away gifts to&nbsp;create a&nbsp;positive first impression.</li><li>Focus on&nbsp;gifting customers who are active on&nbsp;social media or&nbsp;have a&nbsp;history of&nbsp;sharing your stuff. Prompt them&nbsp;— gently&nbsp;— to&nbsp;upload pictures with their gifts on&nbsp;their favorite social network.</li><li>Consider donating to&nbsp;charity on&nbsp;behalf of&nbsp;the&nbsp;customer instead of&nbsp;giving away a&nbsp;gift.&nbsp;Research&nbsp;suggests that charity donations work better than a&nbsp;practical gift, especially when the&nbsp;original purchase is&nbsp;frivolous in&nbsp;nature.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These are just some tactics to&nbsp;maximize the&nbsp;impact of&nbsp;your gifting. Your next challenge is&nbsp;to&nbsp;select the&nbsp;right gift. We’ll share some rules for&nbsp;gift selection below.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How to Select Customer Appreciation Gifts?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;customer appreciation gift is&nbsp;usually something physical, useful, and&nbsp;related to&nbsp;your business in&nbsp;some capacity. It&nbsp;has a&nbsp;simple purpose: to&nbsp;thank customers for&nbsp;their business. Whether the&nbsp;gift elicits a&nbsp;“wow” or&nbsp;“eh” will depend on&nbsp;the&nbsp;quality of&nbsp;the&nbsp;gift.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are a&nbsp;number of&nbsp;rules you must follow when selecting a&nbsp;customer appreciation gift:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should have perceived value:</strong>&nbsp;Above everything else, the&nbsp;gift must have perceived value. Even if&nbsp;it&nbsp;is&nbsp;cheap, it&nbsp;must fulfill a&nbsp;need or&nbsp;appear valuable to&nbsp;the&nbsp;customer.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;useful:</strong>&nbsp;A&nbsp;good gift is&nbsp;usually one that serves some practical purpose. Souvenirs and&nbsp;trinkets that only take up&nbsp;space are easily forgotten. A&nbsp;useful gift will remind the&nbsp;customer of&nbsp;your business every time they use it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;store and&nbsp;transport:</strong>&nbsp;No&nbsp;customer wants to&nbsp;deal with an&nbsp;unwanted gift that takes up&nbsp;too much storage space. Neither do&nbsp;you want to&nbsp;worry about the&nbsp;hassle of&nbsp;transporting a&nbsp;large gift. Always pick something that is&nbsp;small and&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;transport.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;durable and&nbsp;lasting:</strong>&nbsp;A&nbsp;gift that is&nbsp;perishable or&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;destroy will quickly lose its value. Avoid fragile items or&nbsp;anything that might spoil over a&nbsp;couple of&nbsp;weeks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;related to&nbsp;the&nbsp;business:</strong>&nbsp;An&nbsp;ideal gift is&nbsp;related to&nbsp;the&nbsp;business in&nbsp;some way so&nbsp;that it&nbsp;reminds the&nbsp;customer of&nbsp;you. If&nbsp;you run a&nbsp;fashion store, select a&nbsp;fashion accessory, not a&nbsp;book on&nbsp;macroeconomics.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;harmless:</strong>&nbsp;Lastly, the&nbsp;gift shouldn’t trigger allergies, have dangerous, sharp edges, or&nbsp;pose a&nbsp;choking hazard to&nbsp;children. Ask: can this gift cause problems for&nbsp;anyone in&nbsp;my&nbsp;customer’s household (especially old people and&nbsp;children)? If&nbsp;the&nbsp;answer is&nbsp;“yes”, pick something else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">19&nbsp;Thank-You&nbsp;Gift Ideas for&nbsp;Your Customers</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now that you have a&nbsp;list of&nbsp;rules for&nbsp;selecting gifts, here are a&nbsp;few ideas you can choose from.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>1.&nbsp;Write personalized handwritten notes</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;popular and&nbsp;extremely affordable gifting option is&nbsp;to&nbsp;simply send a&nbsp;personalized handwritten note to&nbsp;your customers. Make the&nbsp;message unique, personalized, and&nbsp;most importantly, authentic. Use pen and&nbsp;paper, not a&nbsp;printed message. It&nbsp;costs next to&nbsp;nothing except for&nbsp;your time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>2.&nbsp;Send flowers</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although perishable, flowers are a&nbsp;universally liked gift item. They’re also mostly brand agnostic, i.e. you don’t have to&nbsp;worry whether they align with your brand. Plus, the&nbsp;visual spectacle of&nbsp;a&nbsp;bunch of&nbsp;free flowers makes for&nbsp;a&nbsp;good photo opportunity and&nbsp;the&nbsp;social shares that go&nbsp;with it. Giving flowers to&nbsp;every customer is&nbsp;expensive, but if&nbsp;you pick the&nbsp;recipients (the most loyal customers, those with huge follower base on&nbsp;social media) and&nbsp;the&nbsp;occasion (birthday, Women’s Day) flowers can do&nbsp;magic.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The only time flowers won’t work is&nbsp;if&nbsp;you’re targeting young, single male customer groups who usually don’t have an&nbsp;affinity for&nbsp;them. Remember to&nbsp;pick&nbsp;non-allergic&nbsp;flowers for&nbsp;your gifts.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>3.&nbsp;Offer books</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Books might not make an&nbsp;obvious choice for&nbsp;a&nbsp;gift, but for&nbsp;the&nbsp;right customer group, they can be&nbsp;a&nbsp;fantastic option. A&nbsp;relevant book not only shows that you understand the&nbsp;customer, but it&nbsp;will also stick with them for&nbsp;a&nbsp;long time, reminding them of&nbsp;your brand.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Further, books have a&nbsp;brand of&nbsp;their own. Sending a&nbsp;non-fiction&nbsp;book that pioneers new ideas can get customers to&nbsp;think of&nbsp;your brand as&nbsp;“innovative” as&nbsp;well. For best results, send&nbsp;non-fiction&nbsp;and&nbsp;non-controversial&nbsp;books.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>4.&nbsp;Give charitable gifts</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Making a&nbsp;charitable donation on&nbsp;behalf of&nbsp;the&nbsp;customer can work well as&nbsp;a&nbsp;gift idea, especially if&nbsp;your customers are&nbsp;eco-conscious&nbsp;and&nbsp;philanthropically-inclined.&nbsp;Just make sure that the&nbsp;charity is&nbsp;well-recognized,&nbsp;and&nbsp;that there is&nbsp;sufficient proof of&nbsp;the&nbsp;donation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>5.&nbsp;Offer surprise upgrades</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Win over customers by&nbsp;offering them a&nbsp;free upgrade to&nbsp;their existing purchase. This works particularly well if&nbsp;the&nbsp;upgrade is&nbsp;similar to&nbsp;but better than their current purchase. Just ensure that you ask customers before making the&nbsp;upgrade&nbsp;— some might specifically want a&nbsp;lower-tier&nbsp;model.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>6.&nbsp;Help customers learn something</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of&nbsp;the&nbsp;best gifts you can give customers is&nbsp;the&nbsp;gift of&nbsp;learning. Perhaps you can put together a&nbsp;series of&nbsp;lessons to&nbsp;help them make the&nbsp;most of&nbsp;the&nbsp;purchase (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;guitar store gifting free music lesson CDs). Or&nbsp;perhaps you can offer them courses on&nbsp;topics that complement the&nbsp;purchase (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;handicrafts store offering a&nbsp;free pottery class).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>7.&nbsp;Gift an&nbsp;experience</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">An&nbsp;experience&nbsp;— a&nbsp;spa package, tickets to&nbsp;a&nbsp;local event, etc.&nbsp;— is&nbsp;a&nbsp;great way to&nbsp;make yourself memorable. Ensure that the&nbsp;experience aligns with your brand and&nbsp;customer profile, i.e. don’t gift tickets to&nbsp;a&nbsp;metal concert if&nbsp;your customers are&nbsp;50-year&nbsp;old women. Also, pick an&nbsp;experience that is&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;reach, has broad appeal, and&nbsp;doesn’t cost too much to&nbsp;dent your profitability.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>8.&nbsp;Send a&nbsp;birthday gift</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sending customers gifts on&nbsp;special occasions such as&nbsp;birthdays and&nbsp;anniversaries can help you win customer loyalty. It&nbsp;shows that you care enough to&nbsp;remember them.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Remember that once you start sending birthday gifts, customers might come to&nbsp;expect them every year. So&nbsp;pick something that is&nbsp;affordable enough for&nbsp;repeat gifting. A&nbsp;simple handwritten card works well enough for&nbsp;most customers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>9.&nbsp;Offer a&nbsp;treat</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Cookies, chocolates, candy&nbsp;— sweet, customizable, and&nbsp;widely-loved&nbsp;treats make for&nbsp;a&nbsp;fantastic customer appreciation gift. Most customers will appreciate a&nbsp;tin of&nbsp;freshly baked cookies along with their purchase. You can even customize the&nbsp;packaging to&nbsp;include a&nbsp;personalized message or&nbsp;your brand logo.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The only thing you have to&nbsp;look out for&nbsp;is&nbsp;food allergies. Try to&nbsp;avoid any&nbsp;treat with common allergens such as&nbsp;peanuts.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>10. Feature customers on&nbsp;social media</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Everyone wants their 15&nbsp;minutes of&nbsp;fame, and&nbsp;your customers are no&nbsp;different. If&nbsp;you have a&nbsp;popular social channel, featuring your customers or&nbsp;their projects can be&nbsp;an&nbsp;unusual “gift”. This tactic works best if&nbsp;the&nbsp;customer has uploaded a&nbsp;picture of&nbsp;your product or&nbsp;interacted with you on&nbsp;social media before. It&nbsp;tells them&nbsp;— and&nbsp;your social media audience&nbsp;— that you’re listening.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>11. Share local products</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Gifting customers local products (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;locally sourced food item) works wonderfully well for&nbsp;two reasons:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>It&nbsp;portrays your business as&nbsp;a&nbsp;“friend” to&nbsp;other local small businesses, thus improving your brand perception.</li><li>It&nbsp;shows customers that you care enough about them to&nbsp;personalize the&nbsp;gift as&nbsp;per their location.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Partner up&nbsp;with a&nbsp;local business to&nbsp;offer these products. Your customers will appreciate them, as&nbsp;will local businesses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>12. Create an&nbsp;exclusive group</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How can you make your customers feel special? Simple: by&nbsp;creating an&nbsp;exclusive,&nbsp;invite-only&nbsp;group for&nbsp;your top customers. This can be&nbsp;something as&nbsp;simple as&nbsp;a&nbsp;closed Facebook group. Offer deep discounts unavailable elsewhere to&nbsp;emphasize the&nbsp;exclusivity of&nbsp;the&nbsp;group.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>13. Offer a&nbsp;free consultation</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Valuable advice can be&nbsp;a&nbsp;type of&nbsp;gift as&nbsp;well, especially in&nbsp;industries known to&nbsp;be&nbsp;difficult to&nbsp;approach. If&nbsp;you sell clothes, for&nbsp;instance, you can offer a&nbsp;freestyle consultation. If&nbsp;you sell fitness equipment, you can offer a&nbsp;custom diet plan and&nbsp;workout routine.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>14. Send coupons to&nbsp;local businesses</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sending customers coupons to&nbsp;local businesses has the&nbsp;same effect as&nbsp;gifting local products. It&nbsp;shows customers that you care about small businesses. It&nbsp;also demonstrates that you’re willing to&nbsp;personalize gifts for&nbsp;each customer.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Find a&nbsp;local business that can offer something related (but not competitive) to&nbsp;your brand. Work out a&nbsp;deal with them where your customers can get a&nbsp;discount on&nbsp;future purchases.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>15. Give away a&nbsp;free product from your catalog</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;perennial gifting favorite is&nbsp;to&nbsp;simply give away a&nbsp;cheap but useful product from your product catalog. This product should be&nbsp;low cost yet must have perceived value to&nbsp;the&nbsp;customer. Also make sure that it&nbsp;is&nbsp;related to&nbsp;the&nbsp;original purchase, example: free socks with a&nbsp;pair of&nbsp;shoes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>16. Throw a&nbsp;party for&nbsp;special customers</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another way to&nbsp;make customers feel special is&nbsp;to&nbsp;throw a&nbsp;party or&nbsp;host a&nbsp;meetup. This works best if&nbsp;you have a&nbsp;lot of&nbsp;customers in&nbsp;the&nbsp;same location.&nbsp;Warm-up&nbsp;customers to&nbsp;the&nbsp;idea of&nbsp;a&nbsp;party by&nbsp;inviting them to&nbsp;an&nbsp;exclusive group first (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;Facebook first). Once they’ve all gotten to&nbsp;know each other a&nbsp;bit, invite them out to&nbsp;a&nbsp;party.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It&nbsp;might be&nbsp;expensive, but it&nbsp;will be&nbsp;an&nbsp;experience your customers won’t forget. Plus, all the&nbsp;social media updates from it&nbsp;will do&nbsp;wonders for&nbsp;your word of&nbsp;mouth.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>17. Gift a&nbsp;low-maintenance&nbsp;potted plant</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;small potted plant makes for&nbsp;a&nbsp;great gift. Something low maintenance and&nbsp;hardy&nbsp;—&nbsp;such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;cactus&nbsp;— not only looks good but also emphasizes your “green” credentials. If&nbsp;your customers are&nbsp;eco-conscious,&nbsp;this can be&nbsp;an&nbsp;affordable and&nbsp;memorable gift to&nbsp;send.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Alternatively, send customers plant seeds or&nbsp;even small DIY growing kits (&nbsp;with seeds, soil, and&nbsp;pot).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>18. Give away free swag</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;staple in&nbsp;gifting is&nbsp;to&nbsp;give away free swag&nbsp;—&nbsp;t-shirts,&nbsp;bags, notebooks, etc. Try not to&nbsp;include your logo on&nbsp;them. Doing so&nbsp;turns the&nbsp;swag from a&nbsp;gift to&nbsp;an&nbsp;overt marketing tool. Instead, pick something that reflects your brand’s values or&nbsp;products yet can be&nbsp;worn publicly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>19. Make one customer feel special</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Instead of&nbsp;sending an&nbsp;ordinary gift to&nbsp;every customer, you can get a&nbsp;lot of&nbsp;social media mileage out of&nbsp;making a&nbsp;single customer feel truly special. Pick a&nbsp;customer who has been exceptionally loyal to&nbsp;your brand, then make a&nbsp;gesture that goes far beyond a&nbsp;standard “gift”.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For example, Honda found out that one of&nbsp;its customers was about to&nbsp;hit 1&nbsp;million miles in&nbsp;one of&nbsp;its cars. To&nbsp;make the&nbsp;customer feel special about this major milestone, Honda gave him a&nbsp;free new car and&nbsp;made a&nbsp;video about it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.ecwid.com/blog/19-customer-appreciation-gift-ideas-to-thank-your-customers.html\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','19 Customer Appreciation Gift Ideas to Thank Your Customers','','publish','closed','closed','','19-customer-appreciation-gift-ideas-to-thank-your-customers','','','2022-10-17 22:48:38','2022-10-17 22:48:38','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2737',0,'post','',0),(2738,1,'2022-10-14 20:25:13','2022-10-14 20:25:13','','Small-business','','inherit','closed','closed','','small-business-6','','','2022-10-14 20:25:13','2022-10-14 20:25:13','',2737,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Small-business.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2739,1,'2022-10-14 21:13:30','2022-10-14 21:13:30','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2738,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Small-business.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2738\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">What better way to&nbsp;show customers that you care than to&nbsp;send them a&nbsp;customer appreciation gift? Your competitors might try to&nbsp;win over customers with stale “thank you” emails. You, on&nbsp;the&nbsp;other hand, can leave a&nbsp;deep impression.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The trouble with thank-you gifts is figuring out what to send. You can’t choose something that’s too expensive, nor can you pick something that might be seen as worthless. You have to walk a thin line between price and practicality when selecting thank-you gift ideas.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How to&nbsp;Use Gifts for&nbsp;Marketing</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While the&nbsp;explicit purpose of&nbsp;a&nbsp;customer appreciation gift is&nbsp;to&nbsp;show you care, it&nbsp;has another motive as&nbsp;well: to&nbsp;market your online store. You certainly want customers to&nbsp;feel happy and&nbsp;appreciated, but it&nbsp;would also be&nbsp;nice if&nbsp;they were to&nbsp;recommend your store to&nbsp;their friends.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To&nbsp;use customer appreciation gifts as&nbsp;a&nbsp;marketing tactic, there are a&nbsp;number of&nbsp;things you need to&nbsp;keep in&nbsp;mind.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Gifts vs. discounts</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Using discounts and&nbsp;offers to&nbsp;maximize sales is&nbsp;old hat in&nbsp;e-commerce.&nbsp;The question to&nbsp;ask is: how does a&nbsp;discount compare against a&nbsp;gift in&nbsp;terms of&nbsp;marketing impact?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To&nbsp;answer this question, you’ll have to&nbsp;consider two things:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>How often you offer discounts:</strong>&nbsp;The perceived value of&nbsp;a&nbsp;discount depends on&nbsp;how frequently you offer it. If&nbsp;you have frequent sales and&nbsp;offers, customers might not be&nbsp;too enthusiastic about yet another discount, no&nbsp;matter how steep.</li><li><strong>Discount value and&nbsp;conditions:</strong>&nbsp;A&nbsp;steep discount with liberal terms might end up&nbsp;costing you more than a&nbsp;free gift. On&nbsp;the&nbsp;other hand, if&nbsp;the&nbsp;discount is&nbsp;too low with strict terms, customers might not be&nbsp;interested.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Interestingly, research in consumer psychology indicates that people prefer to get more rather than spend less. A free gift might have higher perceived value since it gives them more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Of&nbsp;course, this only applies if&nbsp;you’re actually telling customers that you’re giving them a&nbsp;gift. This brings us&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;next point.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Explicit vs. secret gifts</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Should you tell customers about the&nbsp;gift or&nbsp;should you just send them a&nbsp;surprise?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are pros and cons to each approach. Telling customers upfront might convince them to make a purchase, especially if they see the gift as a “deal”. At the same time, it robs you of the customer delight that comes with a surprise gift.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">What approach you use will depend on&nbsp;what you hope to&nbsp;achieve with the&nbsp;gift. If&nbsp;your goal is&nbsp;to&nbsp;delight customers, build loyalty, and&nbsp;increase word of&nbsp;mouth (including social media), choose a&nbsp;surprise gift.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">On&nbsp;the&nbsp;other hand, if&nbsp;you want to&nbsp;use gifts as&nbsp;an&nbsp;incentive to&nbsp;buy more, tell customers about it&nbsp;upfront.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Gifting to&nbsp;some vs. gifting to&nbsp;all customers</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another dilemma is&nbsp;figuring out who to&nbsp;gift&nbsp;— some customers or&nbsp;all of&nbsp;them?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Gifting everyone has the&nbsp;obvious cost disadvantage. You might also not realize many benefits from gifting people who are inactive on&nbsp;social media or&nbsp;unlikely to&nbsp;recommend you to&nbsp;friends.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">At the same time, gifting only a few customers might make them feel special — at the cost of other customers. Customer B might wonder why Customer A got a gift and he didn’t. This can create resentment for your brand — the exact opposite purpose of gifting.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Maximize the&nbsp;impact of&nbsp;gifting</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To&nbsp;get the&nbsp;most out of&nbsp;your customer appreciation gifts, there are a&nbsp;few things you should keep in&nbsp;mind:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Customers buy more when there is a “mystery” involved in the purchase, as one University of Miami study discovered. Keeping the gift a secret can help in this regard.</li><li>Customers who receive something free and unexpected are driven to shop more, according to one study. Thus, it might be worth it to lose money upfront on a sale by giving a gift. You can make up for it with repeat purchases.</li><li>Giving away a freebie creates immediate word of mouth, according to an article in the Journal of Marketing. That is especially true if the gift is the first experience the customer has with your brand. Thus, besides your top customers, you can also target first-time buyers when giving away gifts to create a positive first impression.</li><li>Focus on gifting customers who are active on social media or have a history of sharing your stuff. Prompt them — gently — to upload pictures with their gifts on their favorite social network.</li><li>Consider donating to charity on behalf of the customer instead of giving away a gift. Research suggests that charity donations work better than a practical gift, especially when the original purchase is frivolous in nature.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These are just some tactics to&nbsp;maximize the&nbsp;impact of&nbsp;your gifting. Your next challenge is&nbsp;to&nbsp;select the&nbsp;right gift. We’ll share some rules for&nbsp;gift selection below.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How to&nbsp;Select Customer Appreciation Gifts</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;customer appreciation gift is&nbsp;usually something physical, useful, and&nbsp;related to&nbsp;your business in&nbsp;some capacity. It&nbsp;has a&nbsp;simple purpose: to&nbsp;thank customers for&nbsp;their business. Whether the&nbsp;gift elicits a&nbsp;“wow” or&nbsp;“eh” will depend on&nbsp;the&nbsp;quality of&nbsp;the&nbsp;gift.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are a&nbsp;number of&nbsp;rules you must follow when selecting a&nbsp;customer appreciation gift:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should have perceived value:</strong>&nbsp;Above everything else, the&nbsp;gift must have perceived value. Even if&nbsp;it&nbsp;is&nbsp;cheap, it&nbsp;must fulfill a&nbsp;need or&nbsp;appear valuable to&nbsp;the&nbsp;customer.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;useful:</strong>&nbsp;A&nbsp;good gift is&nbsp;usually one that serves some practical purpose. Souvenirs and&nbsp;trinkets that only take up&nbsp;space are easily forgotten. A&nbsp;useful gift will remind the&nbsp;customer of&nbsp;your business every time they use it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;store and&nbsp;transport:</strong>&nbsp;No&nbsp;customer wants to&nbsp;deal with an&nbsp;unwanted gift that takes up&nbsp;too much storage space. Neither do&nbsp;you want to&nbsp;worry about the&nbsp;hassle of&nbsp;transporting a&nbsp;large gift. Always pick something that is&nbsp;small and&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;transport.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;durable and&nbsp;lasting:</strong>&nbsp;A&nbsp;gift that is&nbsp;perishable or&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;destroy will quickly lose its value. Avoid fragile items or&nbsp;anything that might spoil over a&nbsp;couple of&nbsp;weeks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It&nbsp;should be&nbsp;related to&nbsp;the&nbsp;business:</strong>&nbsp;An&nbsp;ideal gift is&nbsp;related to&nbsp;the&nbsp;business in&nbsp;some way so&nbsp;that it&nbsp;reminds the&nbsp;customer of&nbsp;you. If&nbsp;you run a&nbsp;fashion store, select a&nbsp;fashion accessory, not a&nbsp;book on&nbsp;macroeconomics.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It should be harmless:</strong> Lastly, the gift shouldn’t trigger allergies, have dangerous, sharp edges, or pose a choking hazard to children. Ask: can this gift cause problems for anyone in my customer’s household (especially old people and children)? If the answer is “yes”, pick something else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">19&nbsp;Thank-You&nbsp;Gift Ideas for&nbsp;Your Customers</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now that you have a&nbsp;list of&nbsp;rules for&nbsp;selecting gifts, here are a&nbsp;few ideas you can choose from.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>1. Write personalized handwritten notes</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A popular and extremely affordable gifting option is to simply send a personalized handwritten note to your customers. Make the message unique, personalized, and most importantly, authentic. Use pen and paper, not a printed message. It costs next to nothing except for your time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>2. Send flowers</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although perishable, flowers are a&nbsp;universally liked gift item. They’re also mostly brand agnostic, i.e. you don’t have to&nbsp;worry whether they align with your brand. Plus, the&nbsp;visual spectacle of&nbsp;a&nbsp;bunch of&nbsp;free flowers makes for&nbsp;a&nbsp;good photo opportunity and&nbsp;the&nbsp;social shares that go&nbsp;with it. Giving flowers to&nbsp;every customer is&nbsp;expensive, but if&nbsp;you pick the&nbsp;recipients (the most loyal customers, those with huge follower base on&nbsp;social media) and&nbsp;the&nbsp;occasion (birthday, Women’s Day) flowers can do&nbsp;magic.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The only time flowers won’t work is&nbsp;if&nbsp;you’re targeting young, single male customer groups who usually don’t have an&nbsp;affinity for&nbsp;them. Remember to&nbsp;pick&nbsp;non-allergic&nbsp;flowers for&nbsp;your gifts.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>3. Offer books</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Books might not make an&nbsp;obvious choice for&nbsp;a&nbsp;gift, but for&nbsp;the&nbsp;right customer group, they can be&nbsp;a&nbsp;fantastic option. A&nbsp;relevant book not only shows that you understand the&nbsp;customer, but it&nbsp;will also stick with them for&nbsp;a&nbsp;long time, reminding them of&nbsp;your brand.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Further, books have a&nbsp;brand of&nbsp;their own. Sending a&nbsp;non-fiction&nbsp;book that pioneers new ideas can get customers to&nbsp;think of&nbsp;your brand as&nbsp;“innovative” as&nbsp;well. For best results, send&nbsp;non-fiction&nbsp;and&nbsp;non-controversial&nbsp;books.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>4. Give charitable gifts</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Making a charitable donation on behalf of the customer can work well as a gift idea, especially if your customers are eco-conscious and philanthropically-inclined. Just make sure that the charity is well-recognized, and that there is sufficient proof of the donation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>5. Offer surprise upgrades</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Win over customers by&nbsp;offering them a&nbsp;free upgrade to&nbsp;their existing purchase. This works particularly well if&nbsp;the&nbsp;upgrade is&nbsp;similar to&nbsp;but better than their current purchase. Just ensure that you ask customers before making the&nbsp;upgrade&nbsp;— some might specifically want a&nbsp;lower-tier&nbsp;model.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>6. Help customers learn something</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of&nbsp;the&nbsp;best gifts you can give customers is&nbsp;the&nbsp;gift of&nbsp;learning. Perhaps you can put together a&nbsp;series of&nbsp;lessons to&nbsp;help them make the&nbsp;most of&nbsp;the&nbsp;purchase (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;guitar store gifting free music lesson CDs). Or&nbsp;perhaps you can offer them courses on&nbsp;topics that complement the&nbsp;purchase (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;handicrafts store offering a&nbsp;free pottery class).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>7. Gift an experience</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">An&nbsp;experience&nbsp;— a&nbsp;spa package, tickets to&nbsp;a&nbsp;local event, etc.&nbsp;— is&nbsp;a&nbsp;great way to&nbsp;make yourself memorable. Ensure that the&nbsp;experience aligns with your brand and&nbsp;customer profile, i.e. don’t gift tickets to&nbsp;a&nbsp;metal concert if&nbsp;your customers are&nbsp;50-year&nbsp;old women. Also, pick an&nbsp;experience that is&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;reach, has broad appeal, and&nbsp;doesn’t cost too much to&nbsp;dent your profitability.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>8. Send a birthday gift</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sending customers gifts on&nbsp;special occasions such as&nbsp;birthdays and&nbsp;anniversaries can help you win customer loyalty. It&nbsp;shows that you care enough to&nbsp;remember them.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Remember that once you start sending birthday gifts, customers might come to&nbsp;expect them every year. So&nbsp;pick something that is&nbsp;affordable enough for&nbsp;repeat gifting. A&nbsp;simple handwritten card works well enough for&nbsp;most customers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>9. Offer a treat</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Cookies, chocolates, candy&nbsp;— sweet, customizable, and&nbsp;widely-loved&nbsp;treats make for&nbsp;a&nbsp;fantastic customer appreciation gift. Most customers will appreciate a&nbsp;tin of&nbsp;freshly baked cookies along with their purchase. You can even customize the&nbsp;packaging to&nbsp;include a&nbsp;personalized message or&nbsp;your brand logo.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The only thing you have to&nbsp;look out for&nbsp;is&nbsp;food allergies. Try to&nbsp;avoid any&nbsp;treat with common allergens such as&nbsp;peanuts.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>10. Feature customers on social media</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame, and your customers are no different. If you have a popular social channel, featuring your customers or their projects can be an unusual “gift”. This tactic works best if the customer has uploaded a picture of your product or interacted with you on social media before. It tells them — and your social media audience — that you’re listening.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>11. Share local products</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Gifting customers local products (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;locally sourced food item) works wonderfully well for&nbsp;two reasons:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>It&nbsp;portrays your business as&nbsp;a&nbsp;“friend” to&nbsp;other local small businesses, thus improving your brand perception.</li><li>It&nbsp;shows customers that you care enough about them to&nbsp;personalize the&nbsp;gift as&nbsp;per their location.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Partner up&nbsp;with a&nbsp;local business to&nbsp;offer these products. Your customers will appreciate them, as&nbsp;will local businesses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>12. Create an exclusive group</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How can you make your customers feel special? Simple: by&nbsp;creating an&nbsp;exclusive,&nbsp;invite-only&nbsp;group for&nbsp;your top customers. This can be&nbsp;something as&nbsp;simple as&nbsp;a&nbsp;closed Facebook group. Offer deep discounts unavailable elsewhere to&nbsp;emphasize the&nbsp;exclusivity of&nbsp;the&nbsp;group.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>13. Offer a free consultation</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Valuable advice can be&nbsp;a&nbsp;type of&nbsp;gift as&nbsp;well, especially in&nbsp;industries known to&nbsp;be&nbsp;difficult to&nbsp;approach. If&nbsp;you sell clothes, for&nbsp;instance, you can offer a&nbsp;freestyle consultation. If&nbsp;you sell fitness equipment, you can offer a&nbsp;custom diet plan and&nbsp;workout routine.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>14. Send coupons to local businesses</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sending customers coupons to&nbsp;local businesses has the&nbsp;same effect as&nbsp;gifting local products. It&nbsp;shows customers that you care about small businesses. It&nbsp;also demonstrates that you’re willing to&nbsp;personalize gifts for&nbsp;each customer.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Find a local business that can offer something related (but not competitive) to your brand. Work out a deal with them where your customers can get a discount on future purchases.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>15. Give away a free product from your catalog</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A perennial gifting favorite is to simply give away a cheap but useful product from your product catalog. This product should be low cost yet must have perceived value to the customer. Also make sure that it is related to the original purchase, example: free socks with a pair of shoes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>16. Throw a party for special customers</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another way to&nbsp;make customers feel special is&nbsp;to&nbsp;throw a&nbsp;party or&nbsp;host a&nbsp;meetup. This works best if&nbsp;you have a&nbsp;lot of&nbsp;customers in&nbsp;the&nbsp;same location.&nbsp;Warm-up&nbsp;customers to&nbsp;the&nbsp;idea of&nbsp;a&nbsp;party by&nbsp;inviting them to&nbsp;an&nbsp;exclusive group first (such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;Facebook first). Once they’ve all gotten to&nbsp;know each other a&nbsp;bit, invite them out to&nbsp;a&nbsp;party.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It&nbsp;might be&nbsp;expensive, but it&nbsp;will be&nbsp;an&nbsp;experience your customers won’t forget. Plus, all the&nbsp;social media updates from it&nbsp;will do&nbsp;wonders for&nbsp;your word of&nbsp;mouth.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>17. Gift a low-maintenance potted plant</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;small potted plant makes for&nbsp;a&nbsp;great gift. Something low maintenance and&nbsp;hardy&nbsp;—&nbsp;such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;cactus&nbsp;— not only looks good but also emphasizes your “green” credentials. If&nbsp;your customers are&nbsp;eco-conscious,&nbsp;this can be&nbsp;an&nbsp;affordable and&nbsp;memorable gift to&nbsp;send.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Alternatively, send customers plant seeds or&nbsp;even small DIY growing kits (&nbsp;with seeds, soil, and&nbsp;pot).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>18. Give away free swag</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A staple in gifting is to give away free swag — t-shirts, bags, notebooks, etc. Try not to include your logo on them. Doing so turns the swag from a gift to an overt marketing tool. Instead, pick something that reflects your brand’s values or products yet can be worn publicly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>19. Make one customer feel special</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Instead of&nbsp;sending an&nbsp;ordinary gift to&nbsp;every customer, you can get a&nbsp;lot of&nbsp;social media mileage out of&nbsp;making a&nbsp;single customer feel truly special. Pick a&nbsp;customer who has been exceptionally loyal to&nbsp;your brand, then make a&nbsp;gesture that goes far beyond a&nbsp;standard “gift”.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For example, Honda found out that one of its customers was about to hit 1 million miles in one of its cars. To make the customer feel special about this major milestone, Honda gave him a free new car and made a video about it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.ecwid.com/blog/19-customer-appreciation-gift-ideas-to-thank-your-customers.html\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','19 Customer Appreciation Gift Ideas to Thank Your Customers','','inherit','closed','closed','','2737-revision-v1','','','2022-10-14 21:13:30','2022-10-14 21:13:30','',2737,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2739',0,'revision','',0),(2740,1,'2022-10-17 16:16:46','2022-10-17 16:16:46','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2741,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Privacy.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2741\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Decorating your new home is definitely more fun than setting up security measures. But burglars strike every 30 seconds, so home security should be a top priority. To help you get back to the fun stuff, here are 11 simple things you should do right away to secure your new home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">1. Set up a security system</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your new home should have some form of a security system, whether it’s a basic DIY system or one that comes with professional monitoring and home automation features. Today there are plenty of home security options for every budget and every level of protection.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To choose a system that you’re comfortable with, Dr. Stickle recommends evaluating the needs of your neighborhood and your house. \"Once you know the likely risks,\" he explains, \"evaluate your home to see what is needed to protect it.\" </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can contact your local police department for neighborhood crime statistics and help doing a home security evaluation of your home.​</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">2. Secure the doors</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Don’t help a burglar stroll in through the front door (34% of them do!). Inspect all of your exterior doors to make sure the door frames are strong, the hinges are protected, and—if your door has a mail slot—that someone can’t reach through it to unlock the door.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you\'re moving into a residence that someone else used to call home, change the door locks. That way you won\'t have strangers out there with a key to your house, and you can make sure your locks are the best on the market.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some quick reinforcements we recommend to help you shore up these vital entryways.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Install a deadbolt. </li><li>Add a strike plate.</li><li>Upgrade to smart locks.</li><li>Boost security with a video doorbell.</li><li>Secure the mail slot.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Reinforce sliding glass doors</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Intruders love sliding doors, so make sure yours are protected. You can go old-school and use a window bar or dowel in the track to keep the door from being forced open. If you want a high-tech solution, add a door sensor or glass break sensor. These will alert you if the glass door is tampered with—and should scare off thieves.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">3. Lock the windows</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to theft expert Dr. Ben Stickle, windows are \"a common entry point for criminals\" and may be left shut but unlocked by the previous homeowner. Plus, manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective—and sometimes they’re downright flimsy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you don’t like the looks of your window latches, beef up security with aftermarket window locks or key-operated levers. But you don’t have to stop there.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We have some other good ideas to help make your windows burglar-proof.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Reinforce glass with window security film.</li><li>Install window sensors or glass break sensors.</li><li>Add window bars.</li><li>Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows (but be sure to keep them trimmed).</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">4. Light up the landscape</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Vandals, burglars, and other criminals don’t like to be in the spotlight. Keep them at bay with ample outdoor lighting. Place lights around your front and back yards, along pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. Not only will you make intruders skittish, you’ll also cut down your risk of a stumble on your way up the front steps.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Make your outdoor security lights even more effective with these tips:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Use motion-activated lights.</li><li>Save energy with solar-powered lights.</li><li>Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer.</li><li>Set up schedules with smart light bulbs.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">5. Don’t forget the garage</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This entry point to your home is becoming more popular with criminals. And even if they can’t access your house, chances are you have plenty of good stuff stored in the garage. Make it a habit to lock all doors to the garage—both interior and exterior.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You may also consider keeping your garage door opener in the house. That way, a burglar can’t grab it out of your car. And if you use a security code to open the garage, make sure you keep it secret and never enter it in front of delivery people, neighbors, or anyone else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some more easy ways to secure the garage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Upgrade to a smart garage door opener.</li><li>Cover windows to hide the goodies inside.</li><li>Secure garage doors with extra locks.</li><li>Use home automation—and never leave the garage door open again.</li><li>Install a driveway alarm.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">6. Lock down your Wi-Fi network</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information. And if you use home automation, it can also make your house vulnerable to a break-in. If your Wi-Fi network is connected to smart home gadgets or your security system, it could give criminals direct access to your home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But you don\'t have to leave yourself vulnerable. Use our tips and tricks to keep hackers off your home network.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Secure your wireless router.</li><li>Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption.</li><li>Rename and hide your home network.</li><li>Use a firewall.</li><li>Install antivirus and anti-malware protection.</li><li>Create strong passwords.</li><li>Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your internet connection.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Protect kids with parental-control software</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’ve got little ones, chances are they go online for both homework and fun. Keep them safe from online predators and cyber bullies with a parental control app, router, or software package. These tools can even help you limit screen time and enforce device-free family dinners.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">7. Eliminate hiding places</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Trees and shrubs may give your house curb appeal, but they also give burglars a handy place to hide. Trim down trees and plants close to your home that could be used for cover. Opt for smaller flowers and bushes instead. If you have trees near windows, either remove them or reinforce those windows with extra security.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And don’t neglect the rest of your home’s exterior. Use these best practices to keep things locked up tight.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Always put away stools and ladders.</li><li>Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.</li><li>Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard.</li><li>Add security signs and stickers—even if you don\'t have a security system.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">8. Add security cameras</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You’ve probably seen headlines about burglars and porch pirates being foiled by security camera footage. This is one home security solution that works as both a deterrent and a means to get justice. You can get security cameras that are part of a complete home security system, or you can use cameras that work on their own.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Whichever way you go, we recommend using a security camera with a mobile app, so you can see footage in real time and store it if you ever need to go to the police. Take proactive measures to protect your cameras from hackers too. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Check out our other must-have features:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Motion detection</li><li>Night vision</li><li>Wi-Fi capability</li><li>Two-way talk</li><li>Local or cloud storage</li><li>Weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">9. Get a safe</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the event that someone gets by your other home security strategies, make sure that valuables are protected. An in-home safe is a secure depository for everything from jewelry to vital documents like passports. You want a safe that is fire-resistant, waterproof, and heavy enough that a thief can’t walk away with it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Follow these suggestions to get the most protection from your safe:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Look for safes with redundant locks (that’s two locks on one safe).</li><li>Select the right size safe for the valuables you want to protect.</li><li>Decide if you want a portable safe or one that’s anchored.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Secure firearms in a gun safe</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Firearms are desirable items for a burglar. On average, around 230,000 guns are stolen during household burglaries every year. A gun safe keeps your weapons out of the hands of criminals and protects your family from the risk of a tragic accident.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">10. Use home automation</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’ve been tempted to turn your regular house into a smart home, security is one compelling reason to follow through. Home automation gives you remote (or scheduled) control of lights, door locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety devices. You can get real-time alerts about suspicious activity so you can respond quickly and thwart potential thieves.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some of our favorite ways to use home automation to increase security:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Schedule lights (and your TV) to turn on and off when you’re on vacation.</li><li>Scare away porch pirates with two-way talk through a smart doorbell.</li><li>Get an instant video feed whenever someone walks up your driveway.</li><li>Check on a smoke or CO alarm and cancel false alarms from your smartphone.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">11. Prevent house fires</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Do what you can to prevent a fire in your new home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Inspect current fire alarms and CO detectors to make sure they\'re working.</li><li>Install new detectors where necessary.</li><li>Check the charge and expiration date on current fire extinguishers.</li><li>Buy new fire extinguishers if necessary.</li><li>Call a professional chimney inspector before using the fireplace. Here are some more fireplace safety tips.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Don\'t forget to make a new fire exit plan based on your home\'s layout, complete with fire escape ladders for second-story bedrooms.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Final word</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Figuring out how to secure your home doesn’t have to be a chore. Use these tips to get started. And relax—you don’t have to do everything at once.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Identify which strategies are most important to you, and make a plan to add the rest later. Being aware of potential security risks and taking action early is the best way to keep your home and loved ones safe.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.safewise.com/blog/10-simple-ways-to-secure-your-new-home/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','10+ Simple Ways to Secure Your New Home','','publish','closed','closed','','10-simple-ways-to-secure-your-new-home','','','2022-10-17 16:16:46','2022-10-17 16:16:46','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2740',0,'post','',0),(2741,1,'2022-10-17 15:33:16','2022-10-17 15:33:16','','Privacy','','inherit','closed','closed','','privacy-5','','','2022-10-17 15:33:16','2022-10-17 15:33:16','',2740,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Privacy.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2742,1,'2022-10-17 16:16:46','2022-10-17 16:16:46','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2741,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Privacy.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2741\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Decorating your new home is definitely more fun than setting up security measures. But burglars strike every 30 seconds, so home security should be a top priority. To help you get back to the fun stuff, here are 11 simple things you should do right away to secure your new home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">1. Set up a security system</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your new home should have some form of a security system, whether it’s a basic DIY system or one that comes with professional monitoring and home automation features. Today there are plenty of home security options for every budget and every level of protection.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To choose a system that you’re comfortable with, Dr. Stickle recommends evaluating the needs of your neighborhood and your house. \"Once you know the likely risks,\" he explains, \"evaluate your home to see what is needed to protect it.\" </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can contact your local police department for neighborhood crime statistics and help doing a home security evaluation of your home.​</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">2. Secure the doors</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Don’t help a burglar stroll in through the front door (34% of them do!). Inspect all of your exterior doors to make sure the door frames are strong, the hinges are protected, and—if your door has a mail slot—that someone can’t reach through it to unlock the door.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you\'re moving into a residence that someone else used to call home, change the door locks. That way you won\'t have strangers out there with a key to your house, and you can make sure your locks are the best on the market.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some quick reinforcements we recommend to help you shore up these vital entryways.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Install a deadbolt. </li><li>Add a strike plate.</li><li>Upgrade to smart locks.</li><li>Boost security with a video doorbell.</li><li>Secure the mail slot.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Reinforce sliding glass doors</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Intruders love sliding doors, so make sure yours are protected. You can go old-school and use a window bar or dowel in the track to keep the door from being forced open. If you want a high-tech solution, add a door sensor or glass break sensor. These will alert you if the glass door is tampered with—and should scare off thieves.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">3. Lock the windows</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to theft expert Dr. Ben Stickle, windows are \"a common entry point for criminals\" and may be left shut but unlocked by the previous homeowner. Plus, manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective—and sometimes they’re downright flimsy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you don’t like the looks of your window latches, beef up security with aftermarket window locks or key-operated levers. But you don’t have to stop there.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We have some other good ideas to help make your windows burglar-proof.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Reinforce glass with window security film.</li><li>Install window sensors or glass break sensors.</li><li>Add window bars.</li><li>Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows (but be sure to keep them trimmed).</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">4. Light up the landscape</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Vandals, burglars, and other criminals don’t like to be in the spotlight. Keep them at bay with ample outdoor lighting. Place lights around your front and back yards, along pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. Not only will you make intruders skittish, you’ll also cut down your risk of a stumble on your way up the front steps.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Make your outdoor security lights even more effective with these tips:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Use motion-activated lights.</li><li>Save energy with solar-powered lights.</li><li>Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer.</li><li>Set up schedules with smart light bulbs.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">5. Don’t forget the garage</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This entry point to your home is becoming more popular with criminals. And even if they can’t access your house, chances are you have plenty of good stuff stored in the garage. Make it a habit to lock all doors to the garage—both interior and exterior.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You may also consider keeping your garage door opener in the house. That way, a burglar can’t grab it out of your car. And if you use a security code to open the garage, make sure you keep it secret and never enter it in front of delivery people, neighbors, or anyone else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some more easy ways to secure the garage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Upgrade to a smart garage door opener.</li><li>Cover windows to hide the goodies inside.</li><li>Secure garage doors with extra locks.</li><li>Use home automation—and never leave the garage door open again.</li><li>Install a driveway alarm.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">6. Lock down your Wi-Fi network</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information. And if you use home automation, it can also make your house vulnerable to a break-in. If your Wi-Fi network is connected to smart home gadgets or your security system, it could give criminals direct access to your home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But you don\'t have to leave yourself vulnerable. Use our tips and tricks to keep hackers off your home network.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Secure your wireless router.</li><li>Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption.</li><li>Rename and hide your home network.</li><li>Use a firewall.</li><li>Install antivirus and anti-malware protection.</li><li>Create strong passwords.</li><li>Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your internet connection.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Protect kids with parental-control software</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’ve got little ones, chances are they go online for both homework and fun. Keep them safe from online predators and cyber bullies with a parental control app, router, or software package. These tools can even help you limit screen time and enforce device-free family dinners.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">7. Eliminate hiding places</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Trees and shrubs may give your house curb appeal, but they also give burglars a handy place to hide. Trim down trees and plants close to your home that could be used for cover. Opt for smaller flowers and bushes instead. If you have trees near windows, either remove them or reinforce those windows with extra security.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And don’t neglect the rest of your home’s exterior. Use these best practices to keep things locked up tight.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Always put away stools and ladders.</li><li>Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.</li><li>Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard.</li><li>Add security signs and stickers—even if you don\'t have a security system.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">8. Add security cameras</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You’ve probably seen headlines about burglars and porch pirates being foiled by security camera footage. This is one home security solution that works as both a deterrent and a means to get justice. You can get security cameras that are part of a complete home security system, or you can use cameras that work on their own.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Whichever way you go, we recommend using a security camera with a mobile app, so you can see footage in real time and store it if you ever need to go to the police. Take proactive measures to protect your cameras from hackers too. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Check out our other must-have features:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Motion detection</li><li>Night vision</li><li>Wi-Fi capability</li><li>Two-way talk</li><li>Local or cloud storage</li><li>Weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">9. Get a safe</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the event that someone gets by your other home security strategies, make sure that valuables are protected. An in-home safe is a secure depository for everything from jewelry to vital documents like passports. You want a safe that is fire-resistant, waterproof, and heavy enough that a thief can’t walk away with it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Follow these suggestions to get the most protection from your safe:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Look for safes with redundant locks (that’s two locks on one safe).</li><li>Select the right size safe for the valuables you want to protect.</li><li>Decide if you want a portable safe or one that’s anchored.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Secure firearms in a gun safe</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Firearms are desirable items for a burglar. On average, around 230,000 guns are stolen during household burglaries every year. A gun safe keeps your weapons out of the hands of criminals and protects your family from the risk of a tragic accident.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">10. Use home automation</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’ve been tempted to turn your regular house into a smart home, security is one compelling reason to follow through. Home automation gives you remote (or scheduled) control of lights, door locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety devices. You can get real-time alerts about suspicious activity so you can respond quickly and thwart potential thieves.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some of our favorite ways to use home automation to increase security:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Schedule lights (and your TV) to turn on and off when you’re on vacation.</li><li>Scare away porch pirates with two-way talk through a smart doorbell.</li><li>Get an instant video feed whenever someone walks up your driveway.</li><li>Check on a smoke or CO alarm and cancel false alarms from your smartphone.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">11. Prevent house fires</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Do what you can to prevent a fire in your new home.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Inspect current fire alarms and CO detectors to make sure they\'re working.</li><li>Install new detectors where necessary.</li><li>Check the charge and expiration date on current fire extinguishers.</li><li>Buy new fire extinguishers if necessary.</li><li>Call a professional chimney inspector before using the fireplace. Here are some more fireplace safety tips.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Don\'t forget to make a new fire exit plan based on your home\'s layout, complete with fire escape ladders for second-story bedrooms.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Final word</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Figuring out how to secure your home doesn’t have to be a chore. Use these tips to get started. And relax—you don’t have to do everything at once.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Identify which strategies are most important to you, and make a plan to add the rest later. Being aware of potential security risks and taking action early is the best way to keep your home and loved ones safe.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.safewise.com/blog/10-simple-ways-to-secure-your-new-home/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','10+ Simple Ways to Secure Your New Home','','inherit','closed','closed','','2740-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 16:16:46','2022-10-17 16:16:46','',2740,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2742',0,'revision','',0),(2743,1,'2022-10-17 16:22:03','2022-10-17 16:22:03','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With the holidays looming, use these strategies to thank people for going the extra mile</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2744,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Leadership.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2744\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Of all the perks a company can offer, people most of all want to know they are appreciated at the end of the day. Rewarding individuals and teams and expressing gratitude should happen throughout the year, but in the United States, we have a holiday dedicated to giving thanks. Conveniently, it comes at a busy time of year, as teams work in overdrive to prepare for end-of-year business milestones, winter holidays, office closures, and pending vacations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Colleen Schlagel, chief talent officer at Sovos, makes a point to thank her team regularly via formal and informal programs throughout the year. Being a tax compliance company, Sovos’s busy season starts at the beginning of each calendar year and goes through tax season. During this hectic time, it’s more important than ever to remind her team they are appreciated, Schlagel explains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Whether it’s over the holidays, end-of year crunch time, tax season, or any other day of the year, there are times when all teams need and deserve a little extra thanks. Here, Schlagel and IT leaders share a few of the unique approaches they take to show gratitude.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>1. Soothe the stress of busy schedules</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“As a tax compliance software, our company’s busiest period is the start of each calendar year. In gratitude for the extra effort that our employees put in every tax season, we host special events in our offices, including free lunches, chair massages, game rooms, daily brain teasers, etc.,” says Schlagel. “The goal is to create extra camaraderie and relieve stress.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">\"I sent all their spouses flowers and a note thanking them for the support they give their husband/wife.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Being sincere and authentic is key, Ken Piddington, CIO of SGR Energy, Inc., told us last year. As CIO of MRE Consulting at the time, he said, “The most unique thing I’ve ever done was to show appreciation for the sacrifices my teams\' families make. After a particularly challenging project, which required a number of my team to work very long hours, often traveling to other locations, I sent all their spouses flowers and a note thanking them for the support they give their husband/wife.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>2. Encourage peer recognition</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“One of our most popular company programs is called ‘High Five’,” says Schlagel. “High Five encourages peers to nominate a colleague across any of our global offices who are living out Sovos’ core values. Each quarter, the executive team picks the best nominations and five individuals are recognized at our quarterly all-hands meetings with a gift card and, of course, a high five. At the end of the year, two of those nominees are selected for a company trip. In fiscal year 2017, we had over 300 nominations for High Five, proving that we’re creating a culture of gratitude across our worldwide operations.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">\"You really need to be doing something right to have your team rally behind you.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Similarly, John Marcante, CIO of Vanguard, emphasizes peer recognition as a form of thanks that can feel extra special. He told us, “Once a quarter, everyone in IT has the opportunity to nominate someone that they’d like to recognize for our Peer Recognition Award. A small panel of previous winners chooses five employees who receive a small monetary prize, a trophy for their desks, and breakfast with me and my entire team. We have a lot of awards at Vanguard, but I think this is special because the nominations come from peers. It’s one thing for your manager to recognize you, but you really need to be doing something right to have your team rally behind you.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>3. Thank individuals on the spot</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“While some programs are formal, we also have an informal spot recognition program where managers can give gift cards to employees to immediately recognize extra achievements and efforts. These gift cards range from a cup of coffee to a nice dinner for two,” says Schlagel.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Individualized attention like this is important for leaders managing a large team, according to Cisco Sanchez, who told us about the ways he recognized individuals\' contributions while he was VP of enterprise foundational services for FedEx Services. “I truly believe small habits can make a big impact. One of the ways I show appreciation to my team is by speaking to them by name and asking them individually about their work. It’s amazing to see how eyes light up when people see that you have remembered their name and something unique about them. Appreciation opportunities are all around us. Saying ‘thank you\' is free, and we all have something to be thankful for,” he said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2018/11/tips-showing-gratitude-busy-teams-thanksgiving-and-every-day\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','3 tips to show gratitude to teams on Thanksgiving and every day','','publish','closed','closed','','3-tips-to-show-gratitude-to-teams-on-thanksgiving-and-every-day','','','2022-10-17 16:22:03','2022-10-17 16:22:03','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2743',0,'post','',0),(2744,1,'2022-10-17 16:18:11','2022-10-17 16:18:11','','Leadership','','inherit','closed','closed','','leadership-3','','','2022-10-17 16:18:11','2022-10-17 16:18:11','',2743,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Leadership.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2745,1,'2022-10-17 16:22:03','2022-10-17 16:22:03','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With the holidays looming, use these strategies to thank people for going the extra mile</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2744,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Leadership.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2744\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Of all the perks a company can offer, people most of all want to know they are appreciated at the end of the day. Rewarding individuals and teams and expressing gratitude should happen throughout the year, but in the United States, we have a holiday dedicated to giving thanks. Conveniently, it comes at a busy time of year, as teams work in overdrive to prepare for end-of-year business milestones, winter holidays, office closures, and pending vacations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Colleen Schlagel, chief talent officer at Sovos, makes a point to thank her team regularly via formal and informal programs throughout the year. Being a tax compliance company, Sovos’s busy season starts at the beginning of each calendar year and goes through tax season. During this hectic time, it’s more important than ever to remind her team they are appreciated, Schlagel explains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Whether it’s over the holidays, end-of year crunch time, tax season, or any other day of the year, there are times when all teams need and deserve a little extra thanks. Here, Schlagel and IT leaders share a few of the unique approaches they take to show gratitude.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>1. Soothe the stress of busy schedules</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“As a tax compliance software, our company’s busiest period is the start of each calendar year. In gratitude for the extra effort that our employees put in every tax season, we host special events in our offices, including free lunches, chair massages, game rooms, daily brain teasers, etc.,” says Schlagel. “The goal is to create extra camaraderie and relieve stress.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">\"I sent all their spouses flowers and a note thanking them for the support they give their husband/wife.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Being sincere and authentic is key, Ken Piddington, CIO of SGR Energy, Inc., told us last year. As CIO of MRE Consulting at the time, he said, “The most unique thing I’ve ever done was to show appreciation for the sacrifices my teams\' families make. After a particularly challenging project, which required a number of my team to work very long hours, often traveling to other locations, I sent all their spouses flowers and a note thanking them for the support they give their husband/wife.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>2. Encourage peer recognition</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“One of our most popular company programs is called ‘High Five’,” says Schlagel. “High Five encourages peers to nominate a colleague across any of our global offices who are living out Sovos’ core values. Each quarter, the executive team picks the best nominations and five individuals are recognized at our quarterly all-hands meetings with a gift card and, of course, a high five. At the end of the year, two of those nominees are selected for a company trip. In fiscal year 2017, we had over 300 nominations for High Five, proving that we’re creating a culture of gratitude across our worldwide operations.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">\"You really need to be doing something right to have your team rally behind you.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Similarly, John Marcante, CIO of Vanguard, emphasizes peer recognition as a form of thanks that can feel extra special. He told us, “Once a quarter, everyone in IT has the opportunity to nominate someone that they’d like to recognize for our Peer Recognition Award. A small panel of previous winners chooses five employees who receive a small monetary prize, a trophy for their desks, and breakfast with me and my entire team. We have a lot of awards at Vanguard, but I think this is special because the nominations come from peers. It’s one thing for your manager to recognize you, but you really need to be doing something right to have your team rally behind you.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>3. Thank individuals on the spot</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“While some programs are formal, we also have an informal spot recognition program where managers can give gift cards to employees to immediately recognize extra achievements and efforts. These gift cards range from a cup of coffee to a nice dinner for two,” says Schlagel.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Individualized attention like this is important for leaders managing a large team, according to Cisco Sanchez, who told us about the ways he recognized individuals\' contributions while he was VP of enterprise foundational services for FedEx Services. “I truly believe small habits can make a big impact. One of the ways I show appreciation to my team is by speaking to them by name and asking them individually about their work. It’s amazing to see how eyes light up when people see that you have remembered their name and something unique about them. Appreciation opportunities are all around us. Saying ‘thank you\' is free, and we all have something to be thankful for,” he said.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2018/11/tips-showing-gratitude-busy-teams-thanksgiving-and-every-day\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','3 tips to show gratitude to teams on Thanksgiving and every day','','inherit','closed','closed','','2743-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 16:22:03','2022-10-17 16:22:03','',2743,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2745',0,'revision','',0),(2746,1,'2022-10-17 16:24:53','2022-10-17 16:24:53','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2747,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Health.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2747\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The holiday season may look a little bit different this year. So, now more than ever, on Thanksgiving day the healthiest thing you can do is relax, enjoy a delicious meal and enjoy any time you can spend with loved ones. Here are a few of our favorite tips to make the most of the holiday without sacrifices–including your health!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Get moving.</strong> Your goal should not be to burn off the day’s calories, but instead to move your body with an activity you enjoy. Whether that means heading to EF for your usual group exercise class, joining a virtual turkey trot, or spending the day on your feet in the kitchen, make sure you get some movement. Sluggishness begets sluggishness. If you spend the entire day vegging out on the couch, you won’t have the energy to fully enjoy the day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Don’t skip meals.</strong>&nbsp;The classic mistake is to try to eat very little early on Thanksgiving day, or the days leading up to Thanksgiving. This is not a good idea. You can’t “save” calories for later. Instead, stay on track with your regular meals and snacks to stay satisfied. You will be far less likely to go completely overboard at dinner and make yourself sick.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Drink up!</strong>&nbsp;Make a concerted effort to get plenty of extra water the week of Thanksgiving. You will be enjoying rich foods with a lot of sodium, and maybe some alcohol as well. Stay hydrated if you don’t want to wake up feeling awful on Black Friday. Drinking water is also a helpful tool to keep your appetite level in check. Reach for a glass of water before you go back for another round of appetizers. You may find that you’re actually satisfied once you aren’t thirsty anymore.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Avoid eating because it is there.</strong>&nbsp;Many people fall into the trap of eating everything in sight on Thanksgiving because you only get ONE DAY to enjoy it, right? Wrong. It is easy to get caught up in the mentality that this is your only opportunity to enjoy these special foods. But, chances are, you will have leftovers in your fridge for another three weeks. If you think you may be on the verge of the “eating because it’s there” trap, reach for that water again. If you still want it after hydrating, then enjoy every bite.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It’s all about the bounce back!</strong>&nbsp;Even if you overdo it on Thanksgiving, remember that Thanksgiving is just one day. It isn’t possible to make any real negative impact on your weight, let alone your health, with one day of indulging. Just like you can’t make a positive impact with a single day of healthy eating! The real trouble comes in when we follow Thanksgiving dinner up with a month of holiday overindulging. We can’t stress this enough: skip the scale for a few days after Thanksgiving (water retention can cause the scale to shoot up), let go of any guilt, and jump right back into your normal, healthy routine.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We hope these tips help you enjoy every minute of your Thanksgiving holiday. We certainly know what we’re thankful for– all of our wonderful members at Edgewater Fitness. And if you are not seeing your loved ones for Thanksgiving this year, you are not alone. We would love to connect with you over a workout on Thanksgiving day, whether virtually or in person.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"http://edgewaterfit.com/news/healthy-tips-to-enjoy-thanksgiving/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Healthy Tips to Enjoy Thanksgiving','','publish','closed','closed','','healthy-tips-to-enjoy-thanksgiving','','\nhttp://edgewaterfit.com/news/healthy-tips-to-enjoy-thanksgiving/','2022-10-17 16:24:53','2022-10-17 16:24:53','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2746',0,'post','',0),(2747,1,'2022-10-17 16:23:52','2022-10-17 16:23:52','','Health','','inherit','closed','closed','','health-4','','','2022-10-17 16:23:52','2022-10-17 16:23:52','',2746,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Health.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2748,1,'2022-10-17 16:24:53','2022-10-17 16:24:53','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2747,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Health.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2747\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The holiday season may look a little bit different this year. So, now more than ever, on Thanksgiving day the healthiest thing you can do is relax, enjoy a delicious meal and enjoy any time you can spend with loved ones. Here are a few of our favorite tips to make the most of the holiday without sacrifices–including your health!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Get moving.</strong> Your goal should not be to burn off the day’s calories, but instead to move your body with an activity you enjoy. Whether that means heading to EF for your usual group exercise class, joining a virtual turkey trot, or spending the day on your feet in the kitchen, make sure you get some movement. Sluggishness begets sluggishness. If you spend the entire day vegging out on the couch, you won’t have the energy to fully enjoy the day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Don’t skip meals.</strong>&nbsp;The classic mistake is to try to eat very little early on Thanksgiving day, or the days leading up to Thanksgiving. This is not a good idea. You can’t “save” calories for later. Instead, stay on track with your regular meals and snacks to stay satisfied. You will be far less likely to go completely overboard at dinner and make yourself sick.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Drink up!</strong>&nbsp;Make a concerted effort to get plenty of extra water the week of Thanksgiving. You will be enjoying rich foods with a lot of sodium, and maybe some alcohol as well. Stay hydrated if you don’t want to wake up feeling awful on Black Friday. Drinking water is also a helpful tool to keep your appetite level in check. Reach for a glass of water before you go back for another round of appetizers. You may find that you’re actually satisfied once you aren’t thirsty anymore.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Avoid eating because it is there.</strong>&nbsp;Many people fall into the trap of eating everything in sight on Thanksgiving because you only get ONE DAY to enjoy it, right? Wrong. It is easy to get caught up in the mentality that this is your only opportunity to enjoy these special foods. But, chances are, you will have leftovers in your fridge for another three weeks. If you think you may be on the verge of the “eating because it’s there” trap, reach for that water again. If you still want it after hydrating, then enjoy every bite.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>It’s all about the bounce back!</strong>&nbsp;Even if you overdo it on Thanksgiving, remember that Thanksgiving is just one day. It isn’t possible to make any real negative impact on your weight, let alone your health, with one day of indulging. Just like you can’t make a positive impact with a single day of healthy eating! The real trouble comes in when we follow Thanksgiving dinner up with a month of holiday overindulging. We can’t stress this enough: skip the scale for a few days after Thanksgiving (water retention can cause the scale to shoot up), let go of any guilt, and jump right back into your normal, healthy routine.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We hope these tips help you enjoy every minute of your Thanksgiving holiday. We certainly know what we’re thankful for– all of our wonderful members at Edgewater Fitness. And if you are not seeing your loved ones for Thanksgiving this year, you are not alone. We would love to connect with you over a workout on Thanksgiving day, whether virtually or in person.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"http://edgewaterfit.com/news/healthy-tips-to-enjoy-thanksgiving/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Healthy Tips to Enjoy Thanksgiving','','inherit','closed','closed','','2746-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 16:24:53','2022-10-17 16:24:53','',2746,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2748',0,'revision','',0),(2749,1,'2022-10-17 16:33:41','2022-10-17 16:33:41','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Tips for Car Accidents Caused by Animals</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2750,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2750\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">A lot of car accidents are caused by animals every year. Animals are unpredictable, and when they dart out from tall weeds, a home, or a nearby forest, they can be impossible to avoid. Some car insurance covers animal damage, and nearly all animal car accidents are handled the same by car insurance carriers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, the entire cost of your animal car accident will likely be covered.</li><li>Handling different types of animal damage can vary, depending on whether the animal has an owner.</li><li>Comprehensive coverage is also helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.</li><li>Check your declarations page to find out what types of coverage you have.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">Comprehensive Insurance Covers Animal Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">Knowing what damage to look for and how to handle an insurance claim due to animal damage can save you both time and money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Your car insurance can potentially cover all animal car accidents if you have purchased comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage, and call your insurance agent if you need help filing the claim.</li><li>The cost of the damage must exceed your deductible. Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the full cost of repairs. </li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">Making a police report is essential. Even though there’s no “suspect” for them to arrest or ticket, letting the police know about your accident proves to your insurance company that it happened. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Tips for Specific Types of Animals</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-11\">Handling different types of animal damage varies according to whether or not the animal has an owner. Pet owners are often held liable for animal accidents. Of course, wild animals such as deer don\'t have owners, but you may be asked about it when filing a claim. It is all a part of the process so that the claim can be filed accurately.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\"><strong>Deer</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\">Deer are easily the most common animals hit on U.S. roadways. They are large enough to do severe damage to your car and sometimes can even cause injury to the driver and passengers. It all depends on the type of vehicle and its speed. Because deer are so prevalent, it is very important to get a police report, which will come in especially handy if you recently purchased your car insurance policy or if you recently have filed another deer claim. It will verify information about the accident to your insurance claim adjuster. Some insurance carriers do not require a police report; if you are unsure, check with your agent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\"><strong>Dog</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Hitting a dog with your car is a little different from hitting other animals, because dogs usually have owners. Owners are responsible for damage caused by their dog when it has not been appropriately restrained. The standard procedure is for the dog owner\'s homeowners policy to cover the damage. However, if there is no such insurance, the dog\'s owner would be held personally responsible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Sometimes, the owner would prefer to cover the damage out of pocket versus filing a claim. Other times, small claims court is required. It all depends on how the owner responds to the situation. If you cannot locate the dog\'s owner, your car insurance policy\'s comprehensive coverage will cover the damage. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\"><strong>Bird</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">Often, the only damage that birds cause is to the windshield. Windshield coverage is also provided under comprehensive coverage. If you have a deductible, check around with local glass companies to see whether they waive deductibles.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\"><strong>Raccoon</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-25\">A raccoon might seem small and harmless when it comes to a car accident, but it is still possible for it to do a lot of damage, depending on what kind of car you drive. If you hit a raccoon with your car, and you drive a compact, be sure to get it checked out immediately. The animal is likely to have damaged the undercarriage, and that can severely affect your vehicle if left unfixed.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\"><strong>Cow</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">As you can imagine, your car is likely to sustain substantial damage when hitting such a large animal. Similar to hitting a dog, the cow\'s owner would be responsible for any damage, because the cow should not have been in the roadway. It is possible to file a comprehensive claim under your car insurance policy and then have your insurance company subrogate the claim. The insurance carrier would go after the animal\'s owner. Your vehicle may be repaired sooner if you file the claim under your car insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Comprehensive Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">Your comprehensive coverage would cover animal damage not listed here, as well. Comprehensive is the one type of coverage that protects your vehicle against physical damage to your car <em>not</em> involving a stationary object or another vehicle. You will also find comprehensive coverage to be helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>What types of car insurance are there?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Collision insurance covers damage caused by your car colliding with a vehicle or stationary object while you were driving, such as hitting another car or a mailbox. Comprehensive car insurance covers other types of damage, such as colliding with an animal or damage from vandalism or falling tree branches.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>How do I file a car insurance claim?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You will want to file a car insurance claim if someone was injured due to an accident or collision, if property was damaged, or if your vehicle was damaged. You can file a claim by contacting your insurance carrier, either by phone or through its website. If you file a claim through the website, an agent will call you to talk through the details and collect additional information.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.thebalancemoney.com/car-accidents-caused-by-animals-527081\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does Car Insurance Cover Animal Damage?','','publish','closed','closed','','does-car-insurance-cover-animal-damage','','','2022-10-17 16:33:41','2022-10-17 16:33:41','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2749',0,'post','',0),(2750,1,'2022-10-17 16:26:22','2022-10-17 16:26:22','','Insurance-1','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-1-7','','','2022-10-17 16:26:22','2022-10-17 16:26:22','',2749,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2751,1,'2022-10-17 16:33:41','2022-10-17 16:33:41','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Tips for Car Accidents Caused by Animals</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2750,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2750\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">A lot of car accidents are caused by animals every year. Animals are unpredictable, and when they dart out from tall weeds, a home, or a nearby forest, they can be impossible to avoid. Some car insurance covers animal damage, and nearly all animal car accidents are handled the same by car insurance carriers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, the entire cost of your animal car accident will likely be covered.</li><li>Handling different types of animal damage can vary, depending on whether the animal has an owner.</li><li>Comprehensive coverage is also helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.</li><li>Check your declarations page to find out what types of coverage you have.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">Comprehensive Insurance Covers Animal Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">Knowing what damage to look for and how to handle an insurance claim due to animal damage can save you both time and money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Your car insurance can potentially cover all animal car accidents if you have purchased comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage, and call your insurance agent if you need help filing the claim.</li><li>The cost of the damage must exceed your deductible. Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the full cost of repairs. </li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">Making a police report is essential. Even though there’s no “suspect” for them to arrest or ticket, letting the police know about your accident proves to your insurance company that it happened. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Tips for Specific Types of Animals</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-11\">Handling different types of animal damage varies according to whether or not the animal has an owner. Pet owners are often held liable for animal accidents. Of course, wild animals such as deer don\'t have owners, but you may be asked about it when filing a claim. It is all a part of the process so that the claim can be filed accurately.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\"><strong>Deer</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\">Deer are easily the most common animals hit on U.S. roadways. They are large enough to do severe damage to your car and sometimes can even cause injury to the driver and passengers. It all depends on the type of vehicle and its speed. Because deer are so prevalent, it is very important to get a police report, which will come in especially handy if you recently purchased your car insurance policy or if you recently have filed another deer claim. It will verify information about the accident to your insurance claim adjuster. Some insurance carriers do not require a police report; if you are unsure, check with your agent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\"><strong>Dog</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Hitting a dog with your car is a little different from hitting other animals, because dogs usually have owners. Owners are responsible for damage caused by their dog when it has not been appropriately restrained. The standard procedure is for the dog owner\'s homeowners policy to cover the damage. However, if there is no such insurance, the dog\'s owner would be held personally responsible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Sometimes, the owner would prefer to cover the damage out of pocket versus filing a claim. Other times, small claims court is required. It all depends on how the owner responds to the situation. If you cannot locate the dog\'s owner, your car insurance policy\'s comprehensive coverage will cover the damage. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\"><strong>Bird</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">Often, the only damage that birds cause is to the windshield. Windshield coverage is also provided under comprehensive coverage. If you have a deductible, check around with local glass companies to see whether they waive deductibles.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\"><strong>Raccoon</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-25\">A raccoon might seem small and harmless when it comes to a car accident, but it is still possible for it to do a lot of damage, depending on what kind of car you drive. If you hit a raccoon with your car, and you drive a compact, be sure to get it checked out immediately. The animal is likely to have damaged the undercarriage, and that can severely affect your vehicle if left unfixed.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\"><strong>Cow</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">As you can imagine, your car is likely to sustain substantial damage when hitting such a large animal. Similar to hitting a dog, the cow\'s owner would be responsible for any damage, because the cow should not have been in the roadway. It is possible to file a comprehensive claim under your car insurance policy and then have your insurance company subrogate the claim. The insurance carrier would go after the animal\'s owner. Your vehicle may be repaired sooner if you file the claim under your car insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Comprehensive Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">Your comprehensive coverage would cover animal damage not listed here, as well. Comprehensive is the one type of coverage that protects your vehicle against physical damage to your car <em>not</em> involving a stationary object or another vehicle. You will also find comprehensive coverage to be helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>What types of car insurance are there?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Collision insurance covers damage caused by your car colliding with a vehicle or stationary object while you were driving, such as hitting another car or a mailbox. Comprehensive car insurance covers other types of damage, such as colliding with an animal or damage from vandalism or falling tree branches.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>How do I file a car insurance claim?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You will want to file a car insurance claim if someone was injured due to an accident or collision, if property was damaged, or if your vehicle was damaged. You can file a claim by contacting your insurance carrier, either by phone or through its website. If you file a claim through the website, an agent will call you to talk through the details and collect additional information.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.thebalancemoney.com/car-accidents-caused-by-animals-527081\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does Car Insurance Cover Animal Damage?','','inherit','closed','closed','','2749-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 16:33:41','2022-10-17 16:33:41','',2749,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2751',0,'revision','',0),(2752,1,'2022-10-17 16:34:11','2022-10-17 16:34:11','','Insurance-1-1','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-1-1','','','2022-10-17 16:34:11','2022-10-17 16:34:11','',1817,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-1-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2753,1,'2022-10-17 16:34:14','2022-10-17 16:34:14','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2752,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2752\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A lot of car accidents are caused by animals every year. Animals are unpredictable, and when they dart out from tall weeds, a home, or a nearby forest, they can be impossible to avoid. Some car insurance covers animal damage, and nearly all animal car accidents are handled the same by car insurance carriers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Key takeaways: </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><li>If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, the entire cost of your animal car accident will likely be covered.</li><li>Handling different types of animal damage can vary depending on whether the animal has an owner.</li><li>Comprehensive coverage is also helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.</li><li>Check your declarations page to find out what types of coverage you have.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Comprehensive Insurance Covers Animal Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Knowing what damage to look for and how to handle an insurance claim due to animal damage can save you both time and money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><li>Your car insurance can potentially cover all animal car accidents if you have purchased comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage, and call your insurance agent if you need help filing the claim.</li><li>The cost of the damage must exceed your deductible. Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the full cost of repairs.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Making a police report is a good idea. Even though there’s no “suspect” for them to arrest or ticket, letting the police know about your accident proves to your insurance company that it happened.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Tips for Specific Types of Animals</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Handling different types of animal damage varies according to whether or not the animal has an owner. Pet owners are often held liable for animal accidents. Of course, wild animals such as deer don\'t have owners, but you may be asked about it when filing a claim. It is all a part of the process so that the claim can be filed accurately.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Deer<br>Deer are easily the most common animals hit on U.S. roadways. Deer are large enough to do severe damage to your car and sometimes can even cause injury to the driver and passengers. It all depends on the vehicle\'s speed and type of vehicle. Because deer are so prevalent, it is a good idea to get a police report. Police reports come in especially handy if you recently purchased your car insurance policy or if you recently filed another deer claim. A police report will verify information about the accident to your insurance claim adjuster. Some insurance carriers do not require a police report; if you are unsure, check with your agent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dog<br>Hitting a dog with your car is a little different when compared to hitting other animals because dogs usually have owners. Owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog when it has not been appropriately restrained. The standard procedure is for the dog owner\'s homeowners\' policy to cover the damage. However, if there is no home insurance, the dog owner would be held personally responsible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sometimes the owner would prefer to cover the damage out of pocket versus filing a claim. And other times, small claims court is required. It all depends on how the owner responds to the situation. If you cannot locate the dog\'s owner, your car insurance policy\'s comprehensive coverage will cover the damage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Bird<br>Often the only damage birds cause is to the windshield. Windshield coverage is also provided under comprehensive coverage. If you have a deductible, check around with local glass companies to see if they waive deductibles.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Raccoon<br>A raccoon might seem small and harmless when it comes to a car accident, but it is still possible for them to do a lot of damage, depending on what kind of car you drive. If you hit a raccoon with your car and you drive a compact, be sure to get it checked out immediately. The animal is likely to have damaged the undercarriage, and that can severely affect your vehicle if left unfixed.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cow<br>As you can imagine, your car is likely to sustain substantial damage when hitting such a large animal. Similar to hitting a dog, the cow\'s owner would be responsible for any damages because the cow should not be in the roadway. It is possible to file a comprehensive claim under your car insurance policy and then have your insurance company subrogate the claim. This subrogation means the insurance carrier would go after the animal\'s owner. Your vehicle may be repaired sooner if you file the claim under your car insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">Comprehensive Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your comprehensive coverage would cover animal damage not listed here, as well. Comprehensive is the one coverage that protects your vehicle against physical damage to your car, NOT involving a stationary object or another vehicle. You will also find comprehensive coverage to be helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.1﻿</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Check your car insurance policy to verify your coverage. Your declaration page should state comprehensive or other than collision on your policy if you have purchased this coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thebalance.com/car-accidents-caused-by-animals-527081\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does Car Insurance Cover Animal Damage?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1817-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 16:34:14','2022-10-17 16:34:14','',1817,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2753',0,'revision','',0),(2756,1,'2022-10-17 16:49:05','2022-10-17 16:49:05','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2752,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2752\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A lot of car accidents are caused by animals every year. Animals are unpredictable, and when they dart out from tall weeds, a home, or a nearby forest, they can be impossible to avoid. Some car insurance covers animal damage, and nearly all animal car accidents are handled the same by car insurance carriers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Key takeaways: </strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, the entire cost of your animal car accident will likely be covered.</li><li>Handling different types of animal damage can vary depending on whether the animal has an owner.</li><li>Comprehensive coverage is also helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.</li><li>Check your declarations page to find out what types of coverage you have.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Comprehensive Insurance Covers Animal Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Knowing what damage to look for and how to handle an insurance claim due to animal damage can save you both time and money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Your car insurance can potentially cover all animal car accidents if you have purchased comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage, and call your insurance agent if you need help filing the claim.</li><li>The cost of the damage must exceed your deductible. Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the full cost of repairs.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Making a police report is a good idea. Even though there’s no “suspect” for them to arrest or ticket, letting the police know about your accident proves to your insurance company that it happened.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Tips for Specific Types of Animals</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Handling different types of animal damage varies according to whether or not the animal has an owner. Pet owners are often held liable for animal accidents. Of course, wild animals such as deer don\'t have owners, but you may be asked about it when filing a claim. It is all a part of the process so that the claim can be filed accurately.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Deer</strong><br>Deer are easily the most common animals hit on U.S. roadways. Deer are large enough to do severe damage to your car and sometimes can even cause injury to the driver and passengers. It all depends on the vehicle\'s speed and type of vehicle. Because deer are so prevalent, it is a good idea to get a police report. Police reports come in especially handy if you recently purchased your car insurance policy or if you recently filed another deer claim. A police report will verify information about the accident to your insurance claim adjuster. Some insurance carriers do not require a police report; if you are unsure, check with your agent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Dog</strong><br>Hitting a dog with your car is a little different when compared to hitting other animals because dogs usually have owners. Owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog when it has not been appropriately restrained. The standard procedure is for the dog owner\'s homeowners\' policy to cover the damage. However, if there is no home insurance, the dog owner would be held personally responsible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sometimes the owner would prefer to cover the damage out of pocket versus filing a claim. And other times, small claims court is required. It all depends on how the owner responds to the situation. If you cannot locate the dog\'s owner, your car insurance policy\'s comprehensive coverage will cover the damage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Bird</strong><br>Often the only damage birds cause is to the windshield. Windshield coverage is also provided under comprehensive coverage. If you have a deductible, check around with local glass companies to see if they waive deductibles.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Raccoon</strong><br>A raccoon might seem small and harmless when it comes to a car accident, but it is still possible for them to do a lot of damage, depending on what kind of car you drive. If you hit a raccoon with your car and you drive a compact, be sure to get it checked out immediately. The animal is likely to have damaged the undercarriage, and that can severely affect your vehicle if left unfixed.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Cow</strong><br>As you can imagine, your car is likely to sustain substantial damage when hitting such a large animal. Similar to hitting a dog, the cow\'s owner would be responsible for any damages because the cow should not be in the roadway. It is possible to file a comprehensive claim under your car insurance policy and then have your insurance company subrogate the claim. This subrogation means the insurance carrier would go after the animal\'s owner. Your vehicle may be repaired sooner if you file the claim under your car insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">Comprehensive Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your comprehensive coverage would cover animal damage not listed here, as well. Comprehensive is the one coverage that protects your vehicle against physical damage to your car, NOT involving a stationary object or another vehicle. You will also find comprehensive coverage to be helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.1﻿</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Check your car insurance policy to verify your coverage. Your declaration page should state comprehensive or other than collision on your policy if you have purchased this coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>What types of car insurance are there?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Collision insurance covers damage caused by your car colliding with a vehicle or stationary object while you were driving, such as hitting another car or a mailbox. Comprehensive car insurance covers other types of damage, such as colliding with an animal or damage from vandalism or falling tree branches.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>How do I file a car insurance claim?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You will want to file a car insurance claim if someone was injured due to an accident or collision, if property was damaged, or if your vehicle was damaged. You can file a claim by contacting your insurance carrier, either by phone or through its website. If you file a claim through the website, an agent will call you to talk through the details and collect additional information.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thebalance.com/car-accidents-caused-by-animals-527081\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does Car Insurance Cover Animal Damage?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1817-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 16:49:05','2022-10-17 16:49:05','',1817,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2756',0,'revision','',0),(2755,1,'2022-10-17 16:47:52','2022-10-17 16:47:52','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2752,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2752\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A lot of car accidents are caused by animals every year. Animals are unpredictable, and when they dart out from tall weeds, a home, or a nearby forest, they can be impossible to avoid. Some car insurance covers animal damage, and nearly all animal car accidents are handled the same by car insurance carriers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Key takeaways: </strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, the entire cost of your animal car accident will likely be covered.</li><li>Handling different types of animal damage can vary depending on whether the animal has an owner.</li><li>Comprehensive coverage is also helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.</li><li>Check your declarations page to find out what types of coverage you have.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Comprehensive Insurance Covers Animal Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Knowing what damage to look for and how to handle an insurance claim due to animal damage can save you both time and money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Your car insurance can potentially cover all animal car accidents if you have purchased comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage, and call your insurance agent if you need help filing the claim.</li><li>The cost of the damage must exceed your deductible. Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the full cost of repairs.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Making a police report is a good idea. Even though there’s no “suspect” for them to arrest or ticket, letting the police know about your accident proves to your insurance company that it happened.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Tips for Specific Types of Animals</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Handling different types of animal damage varies according to whether or not the animal has an owner. Pet owners are often held liable for animal accidents. Of course, wild animals such as deer don\'t have owners, but you may be asked about it when filing a claim. It is all a part of the process so that the claim can be filed accurately.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Deer</strong><br>Deer are easily the most common animals hit on U.S. roadways. Deer are large enough to do severe damage to your car and sometimes can even cause injury to the driver and passengers. It all depends on the vehicle\'s speed and type of vehicle. Because deer are so prevalent, it is a good idea to get a police report. Police reports come in especially handy if you recently purchased your car insurance policy or if you recently filed another deer claim. A police report will verify information about the accident to your insurance claim adjuster. Some insurance carriers do not require a police report; if you are unsure, check with your agent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Dog</strong><br>Hitting a dog with your car is a little different when compared to hitting other animals because dogs usually have owners. Owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog when it has not been appropriately restrained. The standard procedure is for the dog owner\'s homeowners\' policy to cover the damage. However, if there is no home insurance, the dog owner would be held personally responsible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sometimes the owner would prefer to cover the damage out of pocket versus filing a claim. And other times, small claims court is required. It all depends on how the owner responds to the situation. If you cannot locate the dog\'s owner, your car insurance policy\'s comprehensive coverage will cover the damage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Bird</strong><br>Often the only damage birds cause is to the windshield. Windshield coverage is also provided under comprehensive coverage. If you have a deductible, check around with local glass companies to see if they waive deductibles.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Raccoon</strong><br>A raccoon might seem small and harmless when it comes to a car accident, but it is still possible for them to do a lot of damage, depending on what kind of car you drive. If you hit a raccoon with your car and you drive a compact, be sure to get it checked out immediately. The animal is likely to have damaged the undercarriage, and that can severely affect your vehicle if left unfixed.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Cow</strong><br>As you can imagine, your car is likely to sustain substantial damage when hitting such a large animal. Similar to hitting a dog, the cow\'s owner would be responsible for any damages because the cow should not be in the roadway. It is possible to file a comprehensive claim under your car insurance policy and then have your insurance company subrogate the claim. This subrogation means the insurance carrier would go after the animal\'s owner. Your vehicle may be repaired sooner if you file the claim under your car insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">Comprehensive Coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your comprehensive coverage would cover animal damage not listed here, as well. Comprehensive is the one coverage that protects your vehicle against physical damage to your car, NOT involving a stationary object or another vehicle. You will also find comprehensive coverage to be helpful if you encounter storm damage, flying debris, fire, or theft.1﻿</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Check your car insurance policy to verify your coverage. Your declaration page should state comprehensive or other than collision on your policy if you have purchased this coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thebalance.com/car-accidents-caused-by-animals-527081\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Does Car Insurance Cover Animal Damage?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1817-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 16:47:52','2022-10-17 16:47:52','',1817,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2755',0,'revision','',0),(2757,1,'2022-10-17 17:02:10','2022-10-17 17:02:10','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Liability and Insurance Claims When You Slide on Ice</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2758,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2758\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Sliding on ice is a scary and frustrating situation. You might feel you\'re driving cautiously for the road conditions, but you can still lose control of your vehicle on ice. After an ice-related accident, ​you might wonder if car insurance will completely cover the damage. Learn how your insurance works in these situations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Sliding on ice can cause serious damage, including bodily injuries and&nbsp;property damage.</li><li>You will likely be considered at fault if you slide on ice and hit something.</li><li>Icy roads are often worst on shaded streets and bridges.</li><li>An incident may be covered by insurance, but it depends on the type of damage that occurs after sliding on ice and whether or not the driver has the proper coverage.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">Types of Damage in Sliding-on-Ice Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">Sliding on ice can cause several types of damage, and each one is covered differently.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\"><strong>Injuries to Others</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">If a party in another vehicle or a pedestrian is injured, your bodily injury liability coverage will cover their expenses, including medical bills and lost wages, up to your policy limits. Limits are listed per person/per accident, so if your policy says $25,000/$50,000, you have a limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\"><strong>Injuries to Yourself or Your Passengers</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage applies to injuries to yourself and other passengers in your vehicle. This coverage is mandatory in some states, but not all.&nbsp;Some PIP policies cover lost income, rehabilitation costs, and other expenses related to recovery.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\"><strong>Damage to Your Vehicle</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">Damage sustained by your vehicle after hitting a patch of ice will be covered if you have&nbsp;collision coverage. This coverage pays for repairs to your car (up to your policy limits) if you hit a guardrail, another vehicle, a mailbox, or any other inanimate object. Plan on paying your deductible before any claims are paid.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\"><strong>Damage to Another Vehicle and Property</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">In most states, property damage liability pays out whether the damage is to someone else\'s vehicle, a mailbox, or a stop sign. Most states require property damage liability coverage. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have the lowest minimum property damage coverage requirements at $5,000.&nbsp;In many cases, the minimum coverage may not be enough, and you\'re responsible for what\'s not covered by insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\"><strong>Towing Costs</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Sliding on the ice may result in needing a tow. Depending on your insurance policy, you may have coverage for a tow or to pull you out of the ditch. Call your insurance carrier to verify your coverage and find out who to call if you need to be towed. You may be able to file a claim on the spot and avoid paying any money out of pocket.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">Who\'s at Fault in an Ice-Related Accident?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">If you slide on ice and hit another car or object, it\'s typically considered an&nbsp;at-fault claim&nbsp;by your insurance carrier. It doesn\'t matter if the police officer let you go without a ticket; your insurance company is going to decide that someone is at fault, and it\'s not going to be the ice. Driving too fast for the conditions is usually given as the reason. It often doesn\'t matter if you were driving at a snail\'s pace; being on the roadway is reason enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-25\">Many drivers feel they aren\'t at fault after sliding on ice. Your best defense against sliding on ice is staying off the road. If you do have to get out there, make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Drive at a speed that gives you control over your vehicle. Don\'t slam the brakes, and learn how to maneuver out of a skid.​</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">How To Safely Drive on Icy Roads?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">It can be challenging to avoid sliding on ice, but some strategies will reduce your risk of sliding around and your chances of having to file an insurance claim.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Can I Prevent Ice Accidents?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">You\'re most likely to encounter ice early in the morning and late at night. During those times, the sun can\'t melt ice on the roads and you can\'t see it well. Keep a lookout if you\'re driving through a shaded area during the day as well. Additionally, bridges are more easily cooled by air passing underneath them and are more prone to freezing.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">Black ice can form on the roads at temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is most likely to occur when it\'s raining or sleeting, and the falling water hits the frozen ground.&nbsp;If you know what types of weather conditions to look for, you can better prepare for dangerous conditions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">How Can I Avoid Accidents if There\'s Black Ice?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">When there\'s ice on the road, you should also exercise extra caution with speed. Note that any acceleration or deceleration (including putting on the brakes) may not go as planned, so you should keep a buffer of space around you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>How fast can I drive on black ice?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you\'re driving on black ice, keep in mind that you may lose control of your vehicle at any time. Your brakes and tires may have no control in this driving environment. So consider your surroundings and ask yourself how fast you want to be going if you were to lose control and&nbsp;veer off the road, or into a semi-truck in the next lane. Standard practice on most highways in stormy weather is to stay below 45 mph, but check in with your comfort level, since this is a cap and not a floor.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>What is black ice exactly?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you live in a warm climate or haven\'t spent much time driving in winter conditions, the term \"black ice\" may be new to you. Simply put, it\'s a thin layer of ice that forms on top of the road as a result of flash freezing (like rain or spilt water over a below-freezing-point stretch of asphalt). Black ice can be especially&nbsp;dangerous to drive&nbsp;on because it is hard to detect by sight and because it creates a slick surface with very little friction for vehicles to brake.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thebalancemoney.com/sliding-on-ice-and-car-insurance-claims-527124\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Who\'s At Fault in Accidents Caused by Black Ice?','','publish','closed','closed','','whos-at-fault-in-accidents-caused-by-black-ice','','','2022-10-17 22:46:24','2022-10-17 22:46:24','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2757',0,'post','',0),(2758,1,'2022-10-17 16:51:52','2022-10-17 16:51:52','','Insurance-2','','inherit','closed','closed','','insurance-2-7','','','2022-10-17 16:51:52','2022-10-17 16:51:52','',2757,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2771,1,'2022-10-17 22:46:24','2022-10-17 22:46:24','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Liability and Insurance Claims When You Slide on Ice</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2758,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2758\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Sliding on ice is a scary and frustrating situation. You might feel you\'re driving cautiously for the road conditions, but you can still lose control of your vehicle on ice. After an ice-related accident, ​you might wonder if car insurance will completely cover the damage. Learn how your insurance works in these situations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Sliding on ice can cause serious damage, including bodily injuries and&nbsp;property damage.</li><li>You will likely be considered at fault if you slide on ice and hit something.</li><li>Icy roads are often worst on shaded streets and bridges.</li><li>An incident may be covered by insurance, but it depends on the type of damage that occurs after sliding on ice and whether or not the driver has the proper coverage.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">Types of Damage in Sliding-on-Ice Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">Sliding on ice can cause several types of damage, and each one is covered differently.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\"><strong>Injuries to Others</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">If a party in another vehicle or a pedestrian is injured, your bodily injury liability coverage will cover their expenses, including medical bills and lost wages, up to your policy limits. Limits are listed per person/per accident, so if your policy says $25,000/$50,000, you have a limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\"><strong>Injuries to Yourself or Your Passengers</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage applies to injuries to yourself and other passengers in your vehicle. This coverage is mandatory in some states, but not all.&nbsp;Some PIP policies cover lost income, rehabilitation costs, and other expenses related to recovery.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\"><strong>Damage to Your Vehicle</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">Damage sustained by your vehicle after hitting a patch of ice will be covered if you have&nbsp;collision coverage. This coverage pays for repairs to your car (up to your policy limits) if you hit a guardrail, another vehicle, a mailbox, or any other inanimate object. Plan on paying your deductible before any claims are paid.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\"><strong>Damage to Another Vehicle and Property</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">In most states, property damage liability pays out whether the damage is to someone else\'s vehicle, a mailbox, or a stop sign. Most states require property damage liability coverage. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have the lowest minimum property damage coverage requirements at $5,000.&nbsp;In many cases, the minimum coverage may not be enough, and you\'re responsible for what\'s not covered by insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\"><strong>Towing Costs</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Sliding on the ice may result in needing a tow. Depending on your insurance policy, you may have coverage for a tow or to pull you out of the ditch. Call your insurance carrier to verify your coverage and find out who to call if you need to be towed. You may be able to file a claim on the spot and avoid paying any money out of pocket.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">Who\'s at Fault in an Ice-Related Accident?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">If you slide on ice and hit another car or object, it\'s typically considered an&nbsp;at-fault claim&nbsp;by your insurance carrier. It doesn\'t matter if the police officer let you go without a ticket; your insurance company is going to decide that someone is at fault, and it\'s not going to be the ice. Driving too fast for the conditions is usually given as the reason. It often doesn\'t matter if you were driving at a snail\'s pace; being on the roadway is reason enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-25\">Many drivers feel they aren\'t at fault after sliding on ice. Your best defense against sliding on ice is staying off the road. If you do have to get out there, make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Drive at a speed that gives you control over your vehicle. Don\'t slam the brakes, and learn how to maneuver out of a skid.​</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">How To Safely Drive on Icy Roads?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">It can be challenging to avoid sliding on ice, but some strategies will reduce your risk of sliding around and your chances of having to file an insurance claim.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Can I Prevent Ice Accidents?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">You\'re most likely to encounter ice early in the morning and late at night. During those times, the sun can\'t melt ice on the roads and you can\'t see it well. Keep a lookout if you\'re driving through a shaded area during the day as well. Additionally, bridges are more easily cooled by air passing underneath them and are more prone to freezing.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">Black ice can form on the roads at temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is most likely to occur when it\'s raining or sleeting, and the falling water hits the frozen ground.&nbsp;If you know what types of weather conditions to look for, you can better prepare for dangerous conditions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">How Can I Avoid Accidents if There\'s Black Ice?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">When there\'s ice on the road, you should also exercise extra caution with speed. Note that any acceleration or deceleration (including putting on the brakes) may not go as planned, so you should keep a buffer of space around you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>How fast can I drive on black ice?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you\'re driving on black ice, keep in mind that you may lose control of your vehicle at any time. Your brakes and tires may have no control in this driving environment. So consider your surroundings and ask yourself how fast you want to be going if you were to lose control and&nbsp;veer off the road, or into a semi-truck in the next lane. Standard practice on most highways in stormy weather is to stay below 45 mph, but check in with your comfort level, since this is a cap and not a floor.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>What is black ice exactly?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you live in a warm climate or haven\'t spent much time driving in winter conditions, the term \"black ice\" may be new to you. Simply put, it\'s a thin layer of ice that forms on top of the road as a result of flash freezing (like rain or spilt water over a below-freezing-point stretch of asphalt). Black ice can be especially&nbsp;dangerous to drive&nbsp;on because it is hard to detect by sight and because it creates a slick surface with very little friction for vehicles to brake.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thebalancemoney.com/sliding-on-ice-and-car-insurance-claims-527124\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Who\'s At Fault in Accidents Caused by Black Ice?','','inherit','closed','closed','','2757-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 22:46:24','2022-10-17 22:46:24','',2757,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2771',0,'revision','',0),(2759,1,'2022-10-17 17:02:10','2022-10-17 17:02:10','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Liability and Insurance Claims When You Slide on Ice</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2758,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Insurance-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2758\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Sliding on ice is a scary and frustrating situation. You might feel you\'re driving cautiously for the road conditions, but you can still lose control of your vehicle on ice. After an ice-related accident, ​you might wonder if car insurance will completely cover the damage. Learn how your insurance works in these situations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\"><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Sliding on ice can cause serious damage, including bodily injuries and property damage.</li><li>You will likely be considered at fault if you slide on ice and hit something.</li><li>Icy roads are often worst on shaded streets and bridges.</li><li>An incident may be covered by insurance, but it depends on the type of damage that occurs after sliding on ice and whether or not the driver has the proper coverage.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-3\">Types of Damage in Sliding-on-Ice Accidents</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">Sliding on ice can cause several types of damage, and each one is covered differently.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\"><strong>Injuries to Others</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">If a party in another vehicle or a pedestrian is injured, your bodily injury liability coverage will cover their expenses, including medical bills and lost wages, up to your policy limits. Limits are listed per person/per accident, so if your policy says $25,000/$50,000, you have a limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\"><strong>Injuries to Yourself or Your Passengers</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage applies to injuries to yourself and other passengers in your vehicle. This coverage is mandatory in some states, but not all. Some PIP policies cover lost income, rehabilitation costs, and other expenses related to recovery.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\"><strong>Damage to Your Vehicle</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">Damage sustained by your vehicle after hitting a patch of ice will be covered if you have collision coverage. This coverage pays for repairs to your car (up to your policy limits) if you hit a guardrail, another vehicle, a mailbox, or any other inanimate object. Plan on paying your deductible before any claims are paid.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\"><strong>Damage to Another Vehicle and Property</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">In most states, property damage liability pays out whether the damage is to someone else\'s vehicle, a mailbox, or a stop sign. Most states require property damage liability coverage. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have the lowest minimum property damage coverage requirements at $5,000. In many cases, the minimum coverage may not be enough, and you\'re responsible for what\'s not covered by insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\"><strong>Towing Costs</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Sliding on the ice may result in needing a tow. Depending on your insurance policy, you may have coverage for a tow or to pull you out of the ditch. Call your insurance carrier to verify your coverage and find out who to call if you need to be towed. You may be able to file a claim on the spot and avoid paying any money out of pocket.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0-1\"><strong>Note</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you get stuck in the snow, AAA recommends staying with your vehicle, tying a brightly colored cloth to your antenna for visibility, and clearing your exhaust pipe of any snow, ice, or mud.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-22\">Who\'s at Fault in an Ice-Related Accident?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">If you slide on ice and hit another car or object, it\'s typically considered an at-fault claim by your insurance carrier. It doesn\'t matter if the police officer let you go without a ticket; your insurance company is going to decide that someone is at fault, and it\'s not going to be the ice. Driving too fast for the conditions is usually given as the reason. It often doesn\'t matter if you were driving at a snail\'s pace; being on the roadway is reason enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-25\">Many drivers feel they aren\'t at fault after sliding on ice. Your best defense against sliding on ice is staying off the road. If you do have to get out there, make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Drive at a speed that gives you control over your vehicle. Don\'t slam the brakes, and learn how to maneuver out of a skid.​</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">How To Safely Drive on Icy Roads?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-28\">It can be challenging to avoid sliding on ice, but some strategies will reduce your risk of sliding around and your chances of having to file an insurance claim.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Can I Prevent Ice Accidents?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">You\'re most likely to encounter ice early in the morning and late at night. During those times, the sun can\'t melt ice on the roads and you can\'t see it well. Keep a lookout if you\'re driving through a shaded area during the day as well. Additionally, bridges are more easily cooled by air passing underneath them and are more prone to freezing.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">Black ice can form on the roads at temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is most likely to occur when it\'s raining or sleeting, and the falling water hits the frozen ground. If you know what types of weather conditions to look for, you can better prepare for dangerous conditions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">How Can I Avoid Accidents if There\'s Black Ice?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">When there\'s ice on the road, you should also exercise extra caution with speed. Note that any acceleration or deceleration (including putting on the brakes) may not go as planned, so you should keep a buffer of space around you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0-2\"><strong>Note</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">AAA recommends keeping a following distance of 5 to 6 seconds in winter conditions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-39\">If you do find yourself sliding, resist the urge to do anything drastic. The less you jerk the wheel and pump the brakes, the greater your chances of surviving the slide without hurting others or yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>How fast can I drive on black ice?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you\'re driving on black ice, keep in mind that you may lose control of your vehicle at any time. Your brakes and tires may have no control in this driving environment. So consider your surroundings and ask yourself how fast you want to be going if you were to lose control and veer off the road, or into a semi-truck in the next lane. Standard practice on most highways in stormy weather is to stay below 45 mph, but check in with your comfort level, since this is a cap and not a floor.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>What is black ice exactly?</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you live in a warm climate or haven\'t spent much time driving in winter conditions, the term \"black ice\" may be new to you. Simply put, it\'s a thin layer of ice that forms on top of the road as a result of flash freezing (like rain or spilt water over a below-freezing-point stretch of asphalt). Black ice can be especially dangerous to drive on because it is hard to detect by sight and because it creates a slick surface with very little friction for vehicles to brake.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.thebalancemoney.com/sliding-on-ice-and-car-insurance-claims-527124\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Who\'s At Fault in Accidents Caused by Black Ice?','','inherit','closed','closed','','2757-revision-v1','','','2022-10-17 17:02:10','2022-10-17 17:02:10','',2757,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2759',0,'revision','',0),