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Think your small business won't be affected by cyber crime? Think again! Find out how to protect your small business from data breach and cyber ransom.

How Data Breach and Cyber Ransom Threaten Your Small Business

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Jason Levine in Cyber Liability, Data Breach with No comments

When it comes to insurance, most people think about protecting physical objects from loss or harm, but there’s something else—something vital—that your small business needs to put under lock and key: your data.

“But Data Breach and other types of cyber crime only happen to giant firms like Dairy Queen and Target. I don’t have the kind of records the bad guys want. Plus, who would even think to target little ol’ me?”

Every day, insurance professionals hear comments like this from their clients. But the truth is, data breach and cyber ransom issues effect an ever-increasing number of small businesses (that is, firms under 100 employees) in the United States. Often, these victims are “Mom & Pop” operations with under 20 employees. In fact, small businesses are actually the perfect target for cyber criminals.
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What Are Medical Payments and Why Are They On My Auto Insurance Coverage?

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Jason Levine in Auto Insurance, Coverages with No comments

Sifting through all of the different coverages that are part of insurance policy can be a very confusing task. There are things that pay for injuries to you. There are parts that pay for injuries to others. There are coverages that pay for damage to your belongings. There are elements that pay for damage to other peoples’ things. The list goes on and on. Today we’re going to look at Medical Payments and how they can help you avoid costly fees after an accident.
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Are You Hurricane Ready?

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Jason Levine in Hurricane, Storms with No comments

Even though Hurricane Matthew’s exact path is still uncertain it is better to be prepared than to be caught without a plan! Harry Levine Insurance is here for you if and when the storm strikes. As insurance professionals our job is more than just showing up to the office every day. Our job is to be there for our clients when they are in their most difficult moments.

We urge you to adopt a Hurricane Preparedness Plan (see below). We urge you to monitor the storm. We urge you to take photos of your home and belongings and to find your insurance policies. Keep them dry and safe! You will find a listing of all of our insurance company partners’ claims contact information here on our website. Please make a note of your carrier’s contact information.
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Workers Compensation – The Pitfalls of Trying to Cut Costs

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Kathy Barton in Workers Compensation with No comments

As Workers Compensation rates in Florida soar, with more potential double digit rate increases looming, small businesses are trying to find creative ways to cut their costs on workers compensation coverage. The end result can be very costly for the business owner. Some people are trying a new, creative way to cut costs and that is to report lower than actual payroll, so that the initial cost will be lower. There are agents out there that will allow this, and will sometimes encourage it to get your business in the door. Don’t do it. It is a trap!
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Windshield Repair Fraud

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Jason Levine in Car Insurance, Deductible with No comments

If it’s too good to be true, then it is!

A problem that not many people talk about in the insurance world is windshield repair fraud. If your automobile glass cracks or gets chipped, it is very important to get it fixed. The State of Florida even makes it easy by requiring that insurance companies waive deductibles for windshields if you have Comprehensive Coverage as part of your car insurance policy. That’s right, if you have coverage, then you have an automatic deductible of zero for your windshield. Repairing or replacing a damaged one can be free!
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Drone Insurance Covered by Your Homeowners Policy? Think Again!

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Jason Levine in Homeowners Insurance, Personal Lines, Technology with No comments

Every time something useful, cool, and new is invented, there are new dangers that come along with it. Newton’s Third Law of Physics even states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Well, guess what? Drones may be the hottest new present for children and tech enthusiasts, and a cutting-edge business tool, but an estimated 80% of them are operating without proper FAA approval or appropriate insurance protection.

Photo Credit: khunaspix on freedigitalphotos.net

Drones at home are less of a problem than drones used for business. Remember, once Bob the neighbor pays little Johnny $10 to take an aerial picture of his house, there has been a business transaction. You may not agree, but there was a transaction in the eyes of the court! Insurers are struggling to deal with the new risk posed by drones, whether it is drones running into each other, drones being flown into people or property, or drones having mechanical failure and crashing into people or property. There’s also that whole spying on people thing, despite plenty of existing laws and legal precedents to deal with that (just think cell phone cameras). You may think of drones as harmless, but rest assured, there are some very important things for homeowners and business owners to know about this potential insurance issue.
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Fraud is Causing Your Rate to Go Up

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Jason Levine in Homeowners Insurance, Inspections, Personal Lines with No comments

It seems like every year homeowner insurance costs more. We have talked about this before, but it is still happening and your rates are still going up. Our goal is to make sure everyone is educated about what is happening so you can make informed decisions about your home.

Normally, when people spend money they like to receive something of value in exchange for it. It’s difficult for insurance to provide obvious or immediate value because no one ever wants to have to use it. Everyone’s financial sensibility is vulnerable to ads like the one below that seem to bring that value. A new roof on your home can cost anywhere from $5,000.00 to $50,000.00 depending upon size, materials and contractor. The free roofs that are being promised all across Florida in ads like these, however, are not free at all. In fact, they are incredibly costly to the homeowner and the general public.
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A New Free Roof?…It Must be Too Good to be True

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Jason Levine in Homeowners Insurance, Inspections, Personal Lines, Storms with No comments

Credit – http://www.guydownes.com

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

A stranger knocks on your door. You apprehensively answer. They tell you that they can get you a entirely kitchen worth $25,000 or more if you’ll let them inside. You laugh, say it’s too good to be true and send them on their way. So why do people allow those making such outrageous claims to climb on their roofs, have access to their insurance policy information, and ultimately to involve them in a rapidly growing fraud scam? I suppose it’s because they aren’t be asked to actually invite the perpetrators in, but they are being promised a new roof typically valued anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000.

Insurance is there to protect homeowners from sudden and accidental damage. Unlike a home warranty or maintenance contract, insurance does not cover wear and tear or an item reaching the end of its useful life. Insurance is designed and priced to repair or replace a roof if a tree falls on your house, a hail storm causes damage or another sudden, accidental and unforeseeable event damages your home. Unfortunately, opportunistic and criminally liable contractors are looking for homes with shingle roof at or around 15 years old all over Florida. These roofs are naturally reaching the end of their lives, and most homeowners dread having to purchase one from within their household budget. Knock, knock…
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What to do if your house has polybutylene pipes?

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Jason Levine in Homeowners Insurance, Inspections with 46 comments

“What do you mean I can’t get homeowner insurance?”

Unfortunately, this line is becoming more common by the day in Florida. Homes are being bought and sold at a quick pace again, and any house built between 1978 and 1995 probably started out with Polybutylene plumbing pipes. If your house has not been re-piped it has been blacklisted by nearly all insurance companies. This isn’t because insurers want to be mean. It is because there is evidence that Polybutylene fails more often than other types of plumbing.
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Not All Data Breaches Are From Hackers

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Jason Levine in Commercial Insurance, Cyber Liability, Data Breach, ID Theft, Professional Insurance with No comments

Not all data breaches are from hackers.

“Data breach? It only happens to big companies… It will never happen to me… My credit card processing vendor provides protection anyway…. I’m covered…. I don’t need to pay for even more insurance…”

Employee Allegedly Sold “bags of reservation documents” to Identity Thieves

Did you see this recent headline? If not check out the scary story here. This happened right here in Central Florida.

Ever heard the phrase ‘famous last words’? If not, you just read them above. Data breach and cyber security have become major problems facing business owners and individuals over the last decade. Getting caught in the trap of believing it won’t happen to you or that you have adequate protection without specific insurance coverage in place is often devastating. Businesses close, reputation and credit are ruined and recovery takes years if it happens at all.
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