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Stay Focused at Work - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

15 Ways to Stay Focused at Work

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

How to Stay Focused at Work

Staying on task can be a challenge at home or at work, and sometimes even more difficult when you’re working from home. In this article, you’ll get 15 tips on how to stay focused at work…

Wait! First I want to watch a video of a honey badger fighting off an anaconda, and a couple of jackals. After that, I’ll get right back to writing about how to stay focused at work.

The lure of interesting things on social media is just one of the challenges to overcome. Here’s how to best that challenge, and others, to stay focused.

15 Ways to Stay Focused at Work

Here are 15 of the best ways to focus at work — especially when you can’t focus!

1. Take Breaks

Sounds counterproductive, right? Shouldn’t you dig in, nose to the grindstone and all that, until the task or project is complete?

Wrong. We are more productive when we take breaks. This is particularly true if the work and breaks are structured. That removes the risk of extending a break. Working towards a scheduled break helps keep your stress levels at bay.

2. Plan Ahead

Having a plan for your workday, and workweek will help you stay on track for the task at hand. Some projects may take half a day, some, half a month. Taking time at the outset to make a plan for the work will help you keep your eye on the prize.

3. Put it on a Calendar

Does the work need to be finished by Thursday at the latest, so it can be shipping Friday morning? With a lengthy project, are there certain target dates within the work? Post it on a calendar, at your desk or on a wall, if multiple employees are involved.

4. Organize Your Work Station

This is key. The time you spend straightening up your work station will pay back in dividends. Organizing your work station will help keep you focused at work.

It can be very distracting to stop working to search for a document or some needed supplies throughout the day. A clean workspace sets the tone for the workday, every day.

5. Reduce Distractions

At work, you can reduce distractions by letting coworkers know that you don’t wish to be disturbed for specified periods of time. You’re free only for emergency calls. If you’re in a busy office, you may have to vacate your desk and find a quiet place to work. Is there an unused meeting room or board room?

If you’re working from home, and you’re home alone, you can take steps as needed to reduce distractions. But if you’re a working parent, working from home with a child who is learning virtually, you are tasked with trying to find a balance.

How can you keep an eye on the kids and be a productive worker at the same time? As advised earlier, schedule break and work time. Make that schedule identical for all who are working from home.

6. Lock Down Social Media

C’mon, admit it. You’ve already watched the video of the honey badger fighting off the anaconda…

FB can help us feel connected, even during this social distancing era. But it can also be a time sucker, keeping you from the tasks of the day and staying focused.

Just as you’ve made a schedule for break and work time, schedule social media or internet surfing time. The best time for that is when the tasks for the day have been completed.

7. Schedule Blocks of Time for Tasks

Each work assignment or project is predicted to be completed in a certain amount of time. As you make a plan for the day or week, block out the anticipated start and completion times of the tasks.

This simple exercise will do more than help you stay focused. It can help reduce your stress level. It can help you find it easier to “turn off your mind” and fall asleep at bedtime.

8. Get Enough Sleep

For all adults between 20 and 60, the recommended amount of sleep per night is 7 hours. Studies have proven that sleep deprivation makes it much, much harder to focus.

Without enough sleep, you’re likely to get angry and frustrated throughout the day. If you haven’t gotten enough sleep, you can recharge with a short – no longer than 20 minutes – power nap.

9. Graze, Eat

See above, “angry and frustrated throughout the day.” There’s a word for it – Hangry, the combo of hungry and angry. You won’t be able to stay focused at work if you don’t take the time to eat, and snack.

But, not just any snack or meal will cut it. Foods high in carbohydrates, sugar and sodium may give you a quick boost. But the quick boost will be followed by a crash.

All things in moderation. Eat and snack sensibly. Stay hydrated with plenty of water. If you’re a coffee drinker, have at it. Studies have shown that small cups of coffee spaced over the workday will help you stay focused.

10. Break Large Projects into Segments

You can lose focus if you feel that you’re not making progress. Rather than simply write down the end goal, break it down into separate parts.

For example, let’s go back to school days and use “Turn in Term Paper” as the end goal. But it seemed to be an overwhelming goal, 20 pages, how could you do it? Well, you did it by doing it in pieces. You organized the main points, you did the research. Then you wrote a draft, worked on that, and finally turned it in.

It’s no different in the workplace. A seemingly insurmountable task looms large. It’s unwieldy, complicated, in the sum of its parts. But if you take those parts one by one, and steadily get each part out of the way, suddenly it’s doable.

11. To-Do List, with Priorities

This fits hand-in-hand with breaking a large project into segments. Making a list is extremely helpful and possibly the one thing that is the most effective tool for staying focused.

Mentally, a detailed list can become a form of reward. One by one, as tasks are accomplished, you get to draw a line through them. Then, with one step of the work done, you can turn your focus to the next task on the list.

12. Know Yourself

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Do you find yourself having more trouble focusing at certain times of the day? Do you seem to lose focus at the same time every day?

One way to find the answer to how to be focused is to recognize your personal strengths and weaknesses. If you know you do your best work first thing in the morning, take advantage of that. Plan to focus on the most complicated or difficult part of your task during your most productive time.

13. Work and No Work Zones

Scheduled work and break times are important. And it’s also important to separate those areas.

Here’s a for instance: You’re working from home and after a couple of hours, head to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. You take that steaming mug back to your work area, sipping away at it as you review your work.

Well, that’s not a break. Sitting down in the kitchen for 15 minutes to drink the coffee is a break. In order to get full advantage of a break, it needs to be a full break away from work. Keep those zones separate.

14. Pictures and Words

Remember that organized work area? Now add some bling, in the form of inspirational photographs and words.

The photographs can be family members or pets – to remind yourself who your work is supporting. Or you might display a photograph of someone in your field who you admire.

What about words? Inspirational quotes can be a way to boost your spirits when the way gets challenging.

“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” Henry Ford

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Helen Keller.

You can choose any pictures and words for workspace inspiration. You can change them freely, as you wish. Reminding yourself of key people and thoughts/ideas is one of the ways to stay focused on the importance of your tasks.

Discover our Motivational Quotes for Business.

15. Reward

One sure way to lose your focus for new tasks is to skip taking time to enjoy the completed task. You did it! You’re not resting on your laurels, but you’re savoring the moment.

If you’re a manager or boss, this is the time to acknowledge and thank the team of workers, who stayed focused right along with you. Before you turn everyone’s eyes to the next project, take time to reward yourself and others for a job well done.

Mental Focus FAQs

People often ask questions about specific things that can help them focus. In general, mental focus is tied to the ability to withstand distractions. You can either remove distractions or learn to focus despite distractions.

What are some foods that help you stay focus?

Several foods can improve focus and mental alertness. Those foods include blueberries, fatty fish, green tea, flaxseed, nuts, and dark chocolate. But it’s important to note chowing down on blueberries and nuts during a break at work might not help – to aid with focus, these foods need to be part of a person’s regular diet.

Will meditation help me focus?

Yes, meditation can improve focus. Here’s why. During meditation, a person learns to relax, remain calm, and focus the mind on a simple activity, such as deep breathing. In other words, meditation helps train your mind to focus.

Here are the Best 10 Meditation Apps for Stressed Out Entrepreneurs.

How many hours of sleep do I need to work productively?

Experts say humans need 7 hours of sleep a night. That’s the figure for all adults between the ages of 20 and 60.

Here are our Top Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep and Increased Work Productivity.

Does music help you stay focus?

Learning to play a musical instrument helps a person learn to focus. Learning to play an instrument requires training, concentration and focus – all things that can carry over into career achievement.

The answer to whether listening to music helps you focus depends on an individual’s feelings. For some, music is soothing and is little more than background sounds. For others, music can be distracting and take away from the ability to focus.

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How to Prepare Your Phone For An Emergency - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

How to prepare your phone for an emergency

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

In case of an emergency, here is how to prepare your phone.

Today, our phones are rarely outside of our reach. This makes them one of the best tools we have to quickly respond to an emergency and increase the chances of a more positive outcome.

How prepared is your phone to handle an emergency?

In most emergencies, you would be the one to contact someone for help. So, it’s important to take a few minutes to research and save important emergency contact numbers on your phone so you can make the call immediately and get help faster.

Here are the main emergency phone numbers to prepare

  • Your emergency contacts, such as a parent, spouse, or close friend
  • Police, 911 in the United States for emergencies
  • Poison Control Center
  • State Highway Patrol
  • Your nearest police and fire department (for non-emergencies)

You should also consider saving these important numbers to help you in an emergency:

  • Your doctor, pediatrician, and/or veterinarian
  • Your pharmacy
  • Home health aides
  • Your insurance company
  • Your roadside assistance provider
  • Your employer
  • Your child’s school or caregiver
  • A nearby relative or friend
  • An out-of-town relative or friend

There are also some emergency situations, like a bad fall or car accident, where you might not be able to communicate with first responders. For this reason, it’s important to take these two steps:

  1. Add an emergency contact in your phones, such as a parent, spouse, or close friend who can come to your aid.
  2. If your phone locks, set up a lock screen message to communicate helpful information to first responders, like your emergency contact, blood type, allergies, and medications.

Depending on the type of phone you’re using, there are different ways to add a lock screen message.

iPhone users can use the Health app on their phones to add their basic personal information, important medical details, and emergency contact numbers within the Medical ID tab and make them accessible from their lock screen. Just make sure you select “Show When Locked” and test it out after you’ve finished setting it up.

Android users can set up their lock screen message by going into their Settings, Users & Accounts, and then Emergency Information. Enter your medical information and emergency contact. Then test it out by locking your phone, swiping up, and tapping “Emergency” to find the information you entered.

Additionally, Android lets you put any message you want on your locked screen. To do this, open your Settings, go to Security & Location, and next to the Screen Lock tab hit Settings. Then, tap Lock Screen Message. Here, you can enter your primary emergency contact or important medication information so that it always displays on your locked phone screen.

Because it’s difficult to predict when or where an emergency will happen, it is a smart idea to prepare your phone now so that you’re ready to handle any situation that comes your way in the future. Be safe out there!

This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. To learn more about Shield Insurance Agency, business and life insurance, or auto insurance including Roadside Assistance, please call or text our office at 616-896-4600

References:
– Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School
– HuffPost, LIFE

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Protecting Yourself After A Data Breach - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Protecting yourself after a data breach

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

A data breach is becoming more and more common. With over a billion records exposed since 2005, it’s likely that — if it hasn’t happened already — you’ll eventually rip open a letter to find that your data has been compromised and your personal information is at risk.

So what do you do next?

Just because you received this letter does not mean that you’re the victim of identity theft, it just means that your data was exposed, a data breach. However, there are five main steps you can take to better ensure that you come out of the situation with your identity and finances intact.

Breathe and read.

The first step is to not panic. That may sound counter-intuitive, but the best thing you can do is take a deep breath and thoroughly read the letter. The letter will explain what information is at risk, how the data breach occurred, and how you can get more information. When you’ve finished reading it over, keep it in a safe place in case you ever need to prove that your data was exposed.

Let your bank, mortgage lender, and other financial organizations know that your data has been compromised. This way, they can keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

Monitor billing and financial statements.

You must be on the lookout for fraudulent activity, too. Your bank or credit card provider may have text or email alerts to help you monitor your account, but be sure to check your statements regularly. And don’t just look for big withdrawals. Small purchases could be criminals seeing what they can get away with.

Check your credit report.

You can get a free credit report once per year. So after about 30 days, request your copy and check for anything suspicious. If you would like some extra protection, you may want to sign up for a credit monitoring service. While this typically comes at a cost, the business that exposed your data may offer these services for free in response to the breach.

Change your passwords.

In case the cybercriminals are in your online accounts or got a hold of the information that could give them access, change your passwords. Plus, it’s a good practice to update your passwords every 90 days. Be sure to include numbers, symbols, and uppercase and lowercase letters in your new passwords.

Grange Insurance offers an Identity Theft coverage endorsement that can be added to a Grange Personal Auto or Homeowners insurance policy. For full details on coverage and discounts, contact your Shield Insurance Agent. This article is for information purposes only. For specific coverage details, always refer to your policy.

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Wallet Safety Check List - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Wallet Safety Check List

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

10 items to leave out of your wallet

It’s simple for thieves to turn plain, old regular crime into cybercrime – if you give them the right information. Leave these ten items out of your wallet.

Over time, it’s easy for your wallet or purse to become stuffed full of crucial information – receipts, PIN numbers, and social security cards – that thieves can use to access your online life with only a few clicks.

Keep only what you need in your wallet and purse and keep your online life secure. Use the infographic below to help determine what should be, and more importantly, what should not be in your wallet.

Wallet Safety Check List

10 Items To Leave Out Of Your Wallet - Shield Insurance Agency Blog
  1. Social Security Cards
  2. Birth certificates
  3. Receipts
  4. Gift cards
  5. Extra credit cards
  6. Blank checks
  7. Passports
  8. Medicare cards
  9. Spare keys
  10. Pins and passwords
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4 Reasons To Have Identity Theft Insurance – Shield Insurance Agency Blog

4 reasons to have identity theft insurance

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Identity theft insurance is there to help protect you from the worst financial situations. And in today’s data-driven world, identity theft remains a constant threat that comes with a big financial risk.

When an identity thief has your Social Security number and other identifying information, they can use it to fraudulently open new accounts or credit cards for financial gain, steal money from your existing accounts, apply for loans, rent an apartment, obtain a job, receive medical care or establish accounts with utility companies.

Still not sure if you need identity theft insurance?

Here are a couple of reasons why you should consider it the next time you speak with your independent insurance agent.

Reason #1: Your household contains children or seniors.

Everyone with a Social Security number is at risk for identity theft, but identity theft thieves like to target individuals who are less likely to regularly check for identity theft warning signs or report irregular activity on their credit reports. This means children and seniors are prime targets.

If you have children, periodically check for a credit report in their name. If no credit report exists, that is a good sign that your child has not been a victim of identity theft. However, if you start receiving collection calls, statements or pre-approval credit offers in your child’s name, these are warning signs that your child’s identity may have been stolen.

If you have seniors in your household, help them learn about common tactics identity thieves use to trick their victims into sharing private personal information that could compromise their identity. Seniors are most often targeted with over-the-phone and internet phishing scams. Teach them how to identify phishing and encourage them to call the organization directly to confirm if the communication is real or a phishing attempt before they share any information.

Reason #2: You’re in the military.

Active duty military members are particularly vulnerable to identity theft while they’re deployed. This is because they might not be checking their credit reports or receiving calls from debt collectors.

According to the FTC, military members are most affected by bank and credit card fraud, but they have also been victims of employment fraud, tax-related fraud, and loan or lease fraud.

If deployment is in your future, set up an Active Duty Military Fraud Alert on your credit report. Once in place, businesses must verify your identity before issuing credit in your name and this makes it harder for identity thieves to use your information to apply for credit.

Reason #3: You’re on social media.

When you share your name, date of birth, hometown, and other personal information on your social media profile, it makes it easier for cyber-criminals to connect that information to even more sensitive information that they collect from you from phishing or another type of scam.

In 2018, the FTC processed over 9,000 email or social media identity theft reports, which was a 23% increase from the previous year.

Think twice before you share a lot of personal information on your social media profiles.

Reason #4: Your password is 12345.

If you use a simple password to protect your accounts or internet-connected devices, then it’s time to update it. Some examples of a simple password are 12345, password, and admin.

A secure password is long, includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols and it isn’t easily guessed. You should also avoid using the same password for all of your accounts, since cracking it in one location could open the door for an identity thief to access and take over your other accounts, too. Consider using two-factor authentication, which sends a code to your phone during login, whenever it’s available to add an additional layer of password protection.

Even if none of these reasons apply to you, it pays to be on the lookout for identity theft. CyberScout, a provider of full-spectrum identity, privacy, and security services and a Grange Insurance partner, recommends checking your credit report from all three credit agencies at least twice a year. Under FACTA, every consumer has the right to obtain a copy of his or her credit report free from each of the credit reporting agencies. Take advantage of this opportunity and learn about additional prevention techniques like setting up credit monitoring to keep your identity, and those of your loved ones, safe.

This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. If the policy coverage descriptions in this article conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy apply. Shield Insurance offers an Identity Theft coverage endorsement that can be added to a Personal Auto or Homeowners insurance policy. For full details on coverages and discounts, contact us@ShieldAgency.com .

References:
– Consumer Affairs
– CyberScout

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Retail Guidelines to Add To Your Reopening Plan - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Retail Guidelines to Add To Your Reopening Plan

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Retail guidelines to add to your reopening plan.

No matter what area of retail you work in, you need a retail reopening plan that outlines steps to keep your customers and employees safe during coronavirus. From social distancing shopping measures to sanitary protocols for returns, there are many working parts to address while reopening stores during COVID-19.

As you outline your plan, look for retail reopening guidelines from the experts at your local level up to the global level, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). These organizations can help you prioritize the best actions you can take before opening your store and throughout your workday.

Guidelines for reopening stores

Start with a detailed plan for customers and employees to follow to keep their health and safety a top priority. According to the CDC and AIHA, components of your retail reopening plan should include

  • Safety measures for employees before each shift, such as recording their temperature either at home or before entering the store.
  • Personal hygiene protocols for employees like handwashing, sanitizing shared surfaces, and wearing face coverings.
  • Social distancing markers, like tape or decals, on the floor throughout the store including checkout line markers that are six feet apart and one-way aisles to reduce people passing each other in close proximity.
  • A merchandising strategy with social distancing in mind. Separate shelving and limit items on display with backstock for different colors and sizes.
  • A returns strategy for accepting and storing returned items.

AIHA recommends sharing your reopening plans with employees and customers via email and social media. Educate customers on the precautions you’re taking to give them a safer shopping experience. You can also take this opportunity to promote alternative shopping methods, such as online shopping or contactless curbside pick-up, for those looking for a lower-risk shopping experience.

Additionally, continue to monitor local and state guidelines, the CDC, AIHA, and other sources you use for coronavirus prevention information. As the experts update their information, you should also update your retail reopening plan where it’s necessary.

Prioritize customer safety inside your store


Here are some steps you can take to help protect your customers and minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 at your store

  • Limit the number of occupants in the store at any given time.
  • Place a trained greeter at the front of the store to answer questions and encourage customers to partake in social distancing practices while they shop.
  • Limit purchases to card-only transactions to reduce cash handling.
  • Sanitize shared surfaces at the register between customers.
  • Install a “sneeze guard” between employees and customers at each checkout line.

Reopening stores during COVID-19 can be a challenge but adding protective measures like these will help decrease the spread of the virus. The more detailed you can be in your guidelines for reopening, the more peace of mind you can offer your customers.

Keep your retail employees safe

Give employees the training and tools they need to stay safe and effectively sanitize their work environments during each shift. These practices may include:

  • Providing hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol at every workstation, register, break room and shared employee space.
  • Training employees on adequate handwashing practices or posting signage in bathrooms with best practices for handwashing techniques.
  • Providing no-touch disposals in bathrooms and break rooms.
  • Cleaning bathrooms, break rooms and other shared rooms frequently.
  • Staggering work shifts to limit the number of employees in the store at any given time.
  • Encouraging employees to stay home when they feel sick.
  • Taking employees’ temperatures before they enter the store for a shift.

References:
– American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. If you have questions about your Grange business insurance coverage, please speak with TJ, your Shield Insurance Agent

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Business Insurance Premium Audit Explained – Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Business Insurance Premium Audit Explained

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Shield Insurance Blog | Business Insurance |

What is a premium audit for business insurance?

To begin to understand what a Business Insurance Premium Audit is and why it’s important, let’s take a walk down memory lane.

When you first set up your commercial insurance policy or the last time you completed a business insurance review with your agent, you may remember your agent asking you to predict certain things your business might experience in the coming year, such as the makeup of your workforce or annual revenue.

This prediction or estimate is an important part of the process to insure your business. It helps set a price, or premium cost, for your commercial insurance policy so you are paying an adequate amount for your business’s unique needs.

Later on, your insurance company, in conjunction with TJ, your agent at Shield, will check how close the prediction was to the business you actually had for that policy year. This is a premium audit. A premium audit is performed regularly by your insurance company to determine the correct premium (i.e. cost) for your business insurance.

Why does business insurance have premium audits?

Unlike personal insurance policies for a car or home, which have more stable and predictable changes in property value and risks, a business is very dynamic. Its income, operations, and risk levels can change all the time, and sometimes in unpredictable ways.

Commercial insurance can cover a business’s physical location and property as well as its liability. Physical location and property can be more predictable to insure. However, business liability tends to be impacted by a business’s growth or shrinking, which is more unpredictable. As a business grows or shrinks, it increases or decreases the chances that the business could be liable to others.

This means that parts of your commercial insurance policy are built to change with the ebbs and flows of your business.

How does a premium audit affect my insurance costs?

During a premium audit, if your business grew more than the amount estimated, the resulting increase in things like sales and payroll means your insurance premium will likely increase.

The same is true in reverse. If your business saw a reduction in business from the policy estimate, you will likely see a reduction in your premium cost.

When an insurance company performs a premium audit, it is looking for accuracy — for both the insured business and the insurance company.

Here’s why: The insurance company needs accurate information to determine things like claims reserve calculations and ratemaking. When the insurance company collects accurate data from its commercial policyholders, it leads to a more financially sound insurance company.

Accurate data also leads to a fundamentally more sound insurance system overall since the premium data collected by insurance companies is reported to the Insurance Services Office (ISO), the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), and state government entities, who then use the data to provide guidance, rules and regulations back to insurance companies.

Your data is an important part of the whole commercial insurance system!

How can my business prepare for a premium audit?

Keeping organized business records is the best way to be ready for a review of your business insurance. When properly kept and provided to the auditor, these records can help keep your insurance cost in line with your actual business needs and may even allow you to take advantage of exclusions or lower rates.

The following bookkeeping practices can help you prepare:

  • Payroll records – Track and show actual payroll by type of work for each employee and business owner. Track overtime, severance and other payroll items.
  • Subcontractor records – Use insured subcontractors when possible. Request and keep a copy of their Certificates of Insurance. Track and show payments by type of work.
  • Sales records (e.g., income statements) – Track and show sales by product. Track sales by customer, returns and other sales items.

You can also speak with your independent insurance agent commercial business specialist, TJ Simmons, to learn more about the premium audit, how it may affect your premium cost and steps you can take now to prepare for it.

This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. If the policy coverage descriptions in this article conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy apply.

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What Is Insurance And Why Is It Important – Shield Insurance Agency Blog

What is Insurance and Why is it Important?

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Have you ever had a moment — while looking at your insurance policy or shopping for insurance — when you’ve thought, “What is insurance? And do I really need it?”

You’re not alone.

Insurance can be a mysterious and puzzling thing. How does insurance work? What are the benefits of insurance? And how do you find the best insurance for you? These are common questions, and fortunately, there are some easy-to-understand answers for them.

To help, here are a few simple insurance explanations:

What is insurance?

Insurance is a financial safety net, helping you and your loved ones recover after something bad happens — such as a fire, theft, lawsuit or car accident. When you purchase insurance, you’ll receive an insurance policy, which is a legal contract between you and your insurance provider. And when you suffer a loss that’s covered by your policy and file a claim, insurance pays you or a designated recipient, called a beneficiary, based on the terms of your policy.

The most difficult thing about insurance is that you’re paying for something you hope you never have to use. Nobody wants something bad to happen to them. But suffering a loss without insurance can put you in a difficult financial situation.

What are the benefits of insurance?

Insurance is an important financial tool. It can help you live life with fewer worries knowing you’ll receive financial assistance after a disaster or accident, helping you recover faster. When it comes to life insurance, this could mean your family doesn’t have to move out of the house or that your kids can afford to go to college. For auto insurance, it could mean you have extra cash in hand to help pay for repairs or a replacement vehicle after an accident. Insurance can help keep your life on track, as much as possible, after something bad derails it.

Your independent agent is a great resource to learn more about the benefits of insurance, as well as the benefits in your specific insurance policy. For example, you may have access to perks such as free roadside assistance, risk control consulting for businesses, or cash value in a life insurance policy, in addition to your insurance coverage.

And in some cases, like auto insurance and workers’ compensation, you may be required by law to have insurance in order to protect others.

How does insurance work?

Insurance is essentially a gigantic rainy day fund shared by many people (called policyholders) and managed by an insurance carrier. The insurance company uses money collected (called a premium) from its policyholders and other investments to pay for its operations and to fulfill its promise to policyholders when they file a claim.

Because of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters — like tornadoes, hail, wildfires and hurricanes, and everyday disasters such as fender benders and kitchen fires — an insurance company’s main goal is to remain financially strong enough to handle anything that comes its policyholders’ way.

How do I choose an insurance provider?

Here are a few things to consider when choosing an insurance company to work with:

  • Insurance coverage. What types of insurance does the company offer? Can you buy all of your insurance through the company and receive a discount?
  • Financial strength. Would the company be able to pay your claim? Look to U.S. credit rating agency AM Best to determine the company’s financial strength.
  • Agency model. Would you prefer the help of a local agent? Or would you prefer to manage your insurance on your own?
  • Customer service. Do others recommend this company? What are people saying about it in online customer reviews?

When in doubt, contact Shield Agency and ask them any questions you have about insurance. Shield agents are insurance experts with the knowledge to guide you through the process and help you find the best protection for you and the people and things you care about most.

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Package Theft And How To Avoid It – Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Package Theft and How to Avoid it

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Not on my porch: How to avoid package theft

Package Theft: For all the convenience that ordering online gives us, there is an unfortunate downside – our delivery may be taken by someone else before we’re able to get our hands on it.

Package theft, especially around the holidays, is a growing inconvenience for many consumers. Approximately 26 million Americans say they’ve experienced package theft, with the number increasing every year as “porch pirates” get bolder and ordering online grows in popularity.1

No one wants to fall victim to the antics of a porch pirate – including you. Consider implementing these low-cost solutions so your package makes it off the porch and into your home.

  1. Ship it to work.
    Keep your package off the porch in the first place. If your company allows, consider shipping your packages to your workplace instead of your home.
  2. Enlist a neighbor’s help.
    Do you have a neighbor or a friend that’s usually home? If so, see if they can wait for your package or keep an eye out for it.
  3. Require a signature.
    Consider requesting a signature for your package to be dropped off. That way, your package won’t be left on your porch exposed to potential thieves.
  4. Be proactive.
    If you’re sending a package, ask the recipient to share information on the safest way for them to receive deliveries.
  5. Take advantage of alternative delivery options and alerts.
    FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service and UPS all have alternative pickup and delivery options available. Visit their websites to explore your options and update your delivery preferences. You can also sign up for delivery alerts to track your package and stay up-to-date on delivery times.
  6. Get technical.
    Consider investing in low-cost technologies like automatic light timers and motion-censored lights.
  7. Keep your porch clear and visible.
    It may seem counter-intuitive, but if a thief has no place to hide, they’re less likely to take the risk of going up to your porch in the first place.
  8. Ask for your box to be nondescript.
    Ordering from a high-end store? Consider marking the “gift” checkbox when you purchase so the package comes in a plain box. You can also request this of friends and family so your box doesn’t grab attention.
  9. Find strength in numbers.
    Neighborhood groups on social media or community apps like Nextdoor can provide your neighborhood a system for reporting suspicious activity to each other.
  10. Visit the UPS article on How to keep packages safe from box bandits

It may not be a low-cost option, but our list wouldn’t be complete without the recommendation of a home security device. Signs announcing the presence of a home security system can go a long way in your efforts to scare off a thief. In fact, homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be broken into or vandalized.2 Bonus: You may be able to receive a discount on your homeowners’ insurance. Contact one of our agents for details.

Strategically-placed security cameras, or devices like video doorbells and lock boxes, can also go a long way in mitigating package theft and have increased in popularity for their ability to catch thieves in the act.

As long as you’re shipping products to your door, there’s a chance your package will be a target. Use these strategies to deter package theft and finally get rid of porch pirates for good.

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Distracted Driving – Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Distracted Driving? Find out here…

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Don’t think you drive distracted?

You might be surprised.

Distracted driving has become an epidemic, taking more than 3,000 lives a year in the United States alone. And while your first instinct might be to think that you don’t drive distracted, not so fast. Because the truth is, most people don’t associate their distracted driving habits as “distracted driving.”

While driving, have you ever:

  1. Adjusted your radio station or playlist?
  2. Touched up your makeup?
  3. Texted?
  4. Talked on your cell phone?
  5. Had something to eat or drink?
  6.  Looked at your GPS or a map?
  7.  Focused so much on conversation with a passenger that you nearly missed a turn?

Distracted driving isn’t just talking or texting on your phone. Anything that takes the eyes or mind off the road and hands off the steering wheel is causing you to drive distracted. It’s important to note, though, that texting while driving is especially dangerous because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention. The facts are unsettling.

  • Anytime drivers look at their phones, they take their eyes off the road for an average of five seconds.
  •  This also causes drivers to drift out of their lane about 10 percent of the time.
  • At least 28 percent of vehicle crashes are caused by texting and cell phone use alone—never mind other distractions.2

Tips to prevent distracted driving

The simple truth is that distracted driving is a dangerous safety risk. Help keep everyone on the roadways safe by following these simple tips.

  • Put it away. Your phone, that is. It’s the absolute best thing you can do while behind the wheel so that you can safely control your vehicle and respond to events on the road.
  • Use safe-driving apps: While apps are not generally safe while driving, apps like Textecution, tXtBlocker, DriveSafe.ly and DriveMode can prevent you from texting while driving and keep you safer on the road.
  • Think ahead. Take care of distractions before or after your trip so you can devote your full attention to driving.
  • Ask passengers for help. If another activity requires immediate action, enlist the help of your passengers or safely pull off the road and stop your vehicle before handling the situation.
  • Use hands-free for emergencies. If you need to be accessible at all times, invest in a hands-free device. However, please note that hands-free does not mean risk-free, so only use it in absolute emergencies.
  • Speak up. Be a good passenger by reminding friends and other drivers to follow these rules. Parents especially should talk with their young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. Make a family pledge where everyone commits to safe driving.

Visit our blog for more articles on safe driving!

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