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Things to Consider When Choosing a Smart Thermostat

Things to Consider When Choosing a Smart Thermostat

Finding a way to make a home more functional is usually one of the main concerns a homeowner has. In recent years, smart devices have become very popular on the home improvement market. These days, there are smart devices to control just about anything inside of a home.
One of the most popular devices on the market is a Smart Thermostat. One of the first things most homeowners want to know is What Does a Smart Thermostat Do? The following is some information on these thermostats and how to choose the right one for a particular home.

A Breakdown on What These Thermostats Do

The thermostat that controls the HVAC unit in a home is used on a regular basis. However, a technologically advanced thermostat allows homeowners to change their temperature settings from their phone. Regardless of where a homeowner is, they can alter their thermostat settings with the help of an internet connection.

Most homeowners use these thermostats to help them save money on energy. Keeping the temperature in a home higher when people aren’t there can reduce energy consumption. When a person is on their way home, they can lower the temperature to ensure the residence is comfortable once they arrive.

Choosing the Right Thermostat

Selecting the right technologically advanced thermostat will not be easy. One of the main things a person needs to consider when choosing one of these thermostats is how to Save money. The best way to do this is by taking the time to research all of the different thermostats on the market.

A homeowner will also need to think about how hard a particular thermostat is to use. The last thing a person wants is to get a thermostat they are unable to use. Consulting with professionals in the industry is a great way to get some guidance on this purchase.

Whether shopping for thermostats or Home insurance, a person will have to take some time to do research. Rushing through this process can lead to a variety of mistakes being made. Seeking out the advice of professionals in the HVAC industry is a great way to get the right thermostat purchased.

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4 Tips For Longer Life And Better Effeciency Of Your Vehilcle

4 Tips For Longer Life And Better Effeciency Of Your Vehilcle

Visit our website www.tayloragy.com, check out our social media or just give us a call. 937-962-2123

Bill VanBrederode

Give Your Car TLC for Longer Life and Greater Efficiency

How you maintain your vehicle not only affects its resale value, but also how efficiently it performs. Nowadays,some vehicles can last 200,000 miles or more if they undergo proper maintenance on schedule. Here are four tips to keep your car in tip-top shape.

Wash and Shine Regularly —Clean your car inside and out on a regular basis. Depending on the season, you may need to wash every week or two. Add a full detail to your calendar at least four times a year.

Log Your Vehicle Maintenance —Keep a file of all maintenance records for your vehicles. Having this information available to prospective buyers can increase your chances of getting a good price. It’s also a useful way to stay on top of the tasks that are needed to keep the car running smoothly and efficiently. Smartphone apps are also available to help you keep track.

Ease Up on the Accelerator —Take it easy on the road.Bad driving habits, especially when your car is new, can shorten the life of your vehicle and cost you more money at the fuel pump. Instead of driving like you’re at the wheel of a race car, try to anticipate the traffic flow so you can gently slow down or speed up as necessary.

Watch Out for Trouble —Along with adhering to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, check your vehicle for signs of trouble that may be related to climate, driving habits or faulty parts. Listen for odd noises, check under the hood regularly and pay attention to warning lights. A check engine light may signal trouble, and some issues could impact fuel efficiency by up to 40 percent.

For the best protection and money savings for your vehicle, call us (937) 962-2123 or apply for a quoteonline to see how we can help you with your Auto Insurance.

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Theft At Home Prevention

Computer hacker and cyber crime

Theft At Home Prevention

The Tri-County Area is a very safe place to live. Low crime and minimal violence are the norm. However, we find ourselves again in a cycle of theft that plagues our area. According to police reports, most of the theft is to steal items that can be sold to satisfy the thief’s drug habit. 

I have heard several stories in the past month of homes being burglarized during the day while they were away at work. Crime statistics state that over 60% of residential theft occurs between the hours of 9am and 3pm. 

Seems these low life types think while we are out working for a living, doing it right, that it would be a good time for them to come in and steal what we have worked so hard for.

I digress.

A home break in occurs about every 15 seconds in the US and can cost on average about $1600 in loss and damages, sometime much more. Only about 13% of the break ins are ever solved and much less of a percentage of the property lost is ever recovered.

Here are some tips that I have compiled from various internet sources that I feel make good sense. If you take the ones that make sense to you and apply them to your home, maybe we can deter the criminal element from visiting our homes.

  • First and foremost keep windows and doors locked. Install deadbolts if you don’t already have them.

  • Get together with the neighbors. Share information and keep each other informed about things going on around the block. Join or start a neighborhood watch.

  • Turn on a light in the home if you are leaving during a time when it will be dark outside. 

  • A radio left on during the day could fool a burglar into thinking someone is home.

  • Install exterior lighting on the house to illuminate the property. Use motion activated lights for an added level of surprise to would be thieves. 

  • Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed back so as not to obscure view to the house that could give thieves a place to hide while they try to gain entry to a window.

  • If you have an exterior remote garage door opener control on your house, change the code periodically to prevent signs of wear that can indicate to a burglar what buttons are used the most allowing him a better chance at guessing your pass-code.

  • Install an electronic home security system. A monitored system is best but one with a loud alarm that the neighbors can hear is better than nothing. Don’t forget to put the security system stickers on the doors and windows to let crooks know that you are protected.

  • When putting boxes out for the trash, break down the boxes of the high value items. Don’t advertise that you just bought a new high dollar item like a new smart TV or a new computer.

  • Store lock boxes and safes in hidden areas of the house or at least out of sight. The master bedroom is a prime target of thieves, it might be best to keep money and valuables out of the master bedroom.

  • Last and maybe one of the most important items, don’t discuss vacation plans in public and especially don’t put your plans on Social Media like Facebook. You never know who might be paying attention.

Implement some of these ideas and maybe it will help prevent an unwanted visit from one of these area criminals. 

I can’t help myself but mention the following. Don’t forget to review your insurance coverage. Is it adequate for your situation? Are any specialty items like jewelry, stock certificates or firearms covered adequately? If you are not a home owner, do you have a renter’s insurance policy in place to protect your personal property and liability.

Call us and we can help you figure out what coverage you need to protect you and your family. 937-962-2123

In future posts we will discuss these similar topics.

  1. Various types of security systems.

  2. Compare various types of safes used at home.

  3. Protect your ID.

  4. Inventory your home

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Professional Liability

Professional Liability

Should you have E&O insurance?

Professional liability insurance, called errors and omissions or sometimes malpractice insurance, covers professionals who offer advice or professional services, such as doctors, lawyers, architects and accountants, from financial losses due to negligence.

It differs from commercial general liability insurance in that it covers costs associated with a claim or lawsuit that is the result of a mistake (an error) or something you failed to do (an omission) that causes financial losses or other damages. Commercial general liability typically covers personal injury or property damage.

Whether or not you you are at fault, the costs associated with lawsuits can be very time-consuming and costly. Determining whether you need this coverage depends on your industry, your clients, your contracts and the potential for harm. For some professional practices, such as medical professionals, because the potential for harm (and lawsuits) is significant, errors and omissions insurance is required by state law or workplace policy.

For other businesses, however, the decision is up to the business owner and their view of the potential risks versus the cost of obtaining errors and omissions insurance. Here are a few things to consider when deciding about E&O insurance.

Contractual Requirements— Is it common in your industry for clients to require you to supply proof of insurance in order to secure contracts? This is common practice in industries in which your actions could result in significant financial losses.

Cost Feasibility— Does the benefit of having coverage outweigh the cost of the insurance? In some cases, if the work you do places you at low risk, it may be that the cost of the insurance is more than you would earn from the contract.

Potential for Claims— What is the likelihood that your professional services will cause harm or that a client would perceive that they had been harmed? For example, a mistake made by a doctor, lawyer or architect could have significant financial implications, making it prudent for professionals in industries like those to protect themselves with E&O insurance.

If you need help deciding if you or your business need Professional Liability Insurance / Errors & Omissions Coverage just give Joe a call at Taylor & Associates Insurance in Lewisburg, OH. 
937-962-2123 X213   JBinkely@TaylorAGY.com

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Cyber Insurance Risks and Statistics

Hacker using laptop. Hacking the Internet.

Cyber Insurance Risks and Statistics

Cyber insurance is a growing asset for many business owners. In a connected world, it is easy to expose customer or company data to would-be thieves. This is why business insurance is increasingly including cyber liability insurance. Knowing the risks and understanding your exposure is important. Your agent can offer specifics about your type of business. However, there are some key details you should know about when getting this coverage.

Know The Risks

Many businesses, especially smaller companies, do not recognize the risks forcyber theft. Yet, this type of risk is growing today. Statista states that, in the United States, $21.22 million dollars in claims provided coverage for cyber theft in 2017. Your risks are many:

  • Someone can break into your company’s proprietary information and copy your product.

  • Your employee’s personal data could suffer a leak, exposing them to theft.

  • The identity and personal information of your customers suffers access from a third party. This puts them at risk of identity theft.

  • You face regulatory fines for not protecting your employees and customers.

When this occurs, you could face lawsuits and class action lawsuits. Many companies find paying for the expenses just to notify those who may have some type of identity leak is expensive. And, there are risks associated with backing up, restoring, and protecting your systems again.

What Is Cyber Insurance Protecting From?

Cyber insurance provides financial protection to companies for loss or corruption of data. It provides liability insurance to cover customer or third-party losses. It can also provide business interruption insurance to cut costs if your company cannot operate for a period. Most policies provide identity theft monitoring. This can help your customers, employees, or others monitor their identity to minimize risks. It can even include cyber extortion protection and reputation recovery.

How Can You Minimize These Risks?

You can work to strengthen your protections. For example, having proper software and hardware for detecting and blocking such threats is essential. You also may wish to switch to cloud computing to reduce risks. Many companies, even smaller businesses, are moving towards working with IT professionals in-house to reduce risks.

You have business insurance to help you when this occurs. However, having a specialized policy is nearly always necessary. Work with your agent to learn more about this need. Cyber insurance additions on your current policy can give you peace of mind. And, it helps you protect your business, customers, and employees.

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6 Tips To Prepare Your Home For Winter

6 Tips To Prepare Your Home For Winter

Winter Home Maintenance Tasks

Each and every home requires regular maintenance to stay safe and efficient, and fall is one of the best times of year to tackle the basics. Some tasks can be completed by homeowners, while others are best left to experienced professionals. Before the winter weather rolls in, take the time to prepare your home and protect your investment.

  1. Prepare Your Heating System —Schedule a professional checkup and cleaning of your home’s heating system before you need to turn it on. While you’re at it, switch the direction of ceiling fans throughout your house to rotate clockwise.

  2. Look for Leaks —Check all doors, windows, attic hatches, external vents and electrical outlets for air leaks, and add caulk, weather stripping and insulation to prevent warm air from escaping. Don’t forget to inspect the roof and replace any loose or damaged shingles.

  3. Check Fire Safety Equipment —Test and/or change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Also, inspect fire extinguishers to ensure they’re in good working order.

  4. Prepare Plumbing —Turn off and drain outdoor hoses, sprinklers and irrigation systems, and consider picking up faucet covers for outdoor spigots. Protect exposed pipes and plumbing in uninsulated areas with pipe insulation to help deter freezes.

  5. Tackle Yardwork —Clear fallen debris from the roof and rain gutters. Now’s also the time to trim branches and remove any dead trees or shrubs.

  6. Update Safety Supplies —Check your emergency preparedness kit and stock your pantry with water and non-perishable food just to be safe. If snow or ice are even remote possibilities in your area this winter, stock up on rock salt or sand and make sure a shovel and roof rake are handy.

And don’t forget to do a checkup on your homeowners insurance. Call us at 937-962-2123 or go to our websiteand fill out a request to review your policy (even if you are not our customer.)

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Will Your Car Insurance Rates Go Up if You Damage Another Person’s Property

Driving on a beautiful spring day.

Will Your Car Insurance Rates Go Up if You Damage Another Person’s Property

Car insurance rates depend on many factors. In most cases, insurance companies consider how likely it is that they will have to pay out a claim to you. Various reasons exist for this, such as the value and type of car you have. If you damage another person’s property, and the insurer pays for it, your rates could go up, as well. Why does this happen?

Filing A Claim Increases Risks

Any time you have to file a claim with your auto insurance company, the company raises your risk level. Individuals who file a claim are more likely to file another claim in the future. As a result, it is likely your rates will climb because the insurer has a higher cost risk by insuring you.

There are a few limitations here, though. Many insurance companies do not raise rates the first time you file a claim. This is especially true when the incident is not your fault or when there was no malicious intent. However, if you prove to be a reckless driver, this is different. In this situation, your agent may cancel your policy or raise your rates depending on the incident.

Fault Matters Here

You are in a car accident in which another car hits you. Your vehicle moves to the side suddenly, damaging a person’s home. You did not cause the damage to your car. Therefore, your insurance company likely won’t hold yourresponsible for any of the damage. Your car insurer is likely to work to get compensation from the driver of the other car to cover the damage to both your car and the home as well. In short, your insurance company works to defend you here. If you are not at fault, your rates are not likely to go up. Most of the time, the police determine fault at the scene.

Your Record Matters, Too

As noted, reckless driving charges are likely to increase the likelihood your car insurer will raise your rates. This means if your driver’s license has more points on it because of the incident, you may end up paying higher rates.

The good news is your auto insurance agent is likely to be fair. They’ll help you look for ways to still save on your policy as you can. In some cases, you may be able to get your rates to come back down over time, too, by being a safe driver.

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What Are Auto Insurance Risk Indicators?

Cars stuck in traffic at an intersection

What Are Auto Insurance Risk Indicators?

You need auto insurance. You turn to a car insurance provider for a quote. The insurer pulls a credit report to determine if they should offer a policy to you. How will this change what you pay for your coverage?

The insurer is looking at risk indicators. Each insurer sets indicators of risk based on factors like your credit report. This information determines if they give you a policy. It can also impact how much you pay. Most people do not think about risk when obtaining a policy like this. However, it could impact the exact benefits offered by your coverage.

What Is a Risk Indicator?
Insurance companies need to determine if a person is likely to file claims or be in accidents. Each auto insurance company establishes a risk indicator to do this. This is a type of code. It allows the company to determine how risky a policyholder is to them. If they are more risky, the insurer may charge more to cover these losses.

The risk indicator can apply to a variety of factors. In some cases, it will relate to previous claims you made. It might also include motor vehicle records. It may include any type of loss reports other insurers provide. It can also apply to information about the other forms of insurance you have and the claims you filed on them.

Why Do Risk Indicators Matter?
Companies build these codes based on data from thousands or even millions of data points. In short, they use information about you and drivers like you to determine what the future holds. Indicators can predict how likely a driver is to engage in these behaviors again in the future. As a result, the auto insurance company can place a higher rate on your policy or require you to pay in advance.

What Factors Are Not Part of a Risk Indicator?
Risk indicators cannot be discriminatory. They never include information such as ethnic groups, marital status, disability, gender, or nationality.

What Will These Indicators Look for Then?
Factors such as the length of time you have credit can be a concern. If you do not have an established history, this can state you have unproven financial skills. If you have late payments or collections, this indicates a high risk. There’s a chance your policy might lapse. That’s a risk to both you and the insurer.

Most people never learn about risk indicators. Auto insurance companies do not necessarily provide this information. Yet, they play a role in your car insurance access and costs.

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How to Protect Your Tires from Wear and Tear

Rear-side view of a luxury cherry red car with monochrome background

How to Protect Your Tires from Wear and Tear

The tires on your vehicle take the most abuse every time you take them out onto the road. You are likely to need to replace them from time to time. However, proper driving habits can help you minimize how frequently this is. If you fail to maintain your tires, you could be in an accident. To avoid having to file an auto insurance claim for such an incident, consider these tips for minimizing wear and tear on your tires.

Choose The Right Tires

Your car’s manufacturer usually provides specific information about the size and type of tire right for the vehicle. Be sure to buy exactly what the manufacturer recommends. This may help to minimize the amount of damage to the frame of the car and your alignment. In other words, you will put less strain on other parts of the vehicle.

Have The Tires Rotated

In all situations, tire rotation is critical. No car drives evenly on all sides all the time. You may make more left turns, for example, than right. Uneven road surfaces also cause uneven wear on the tire. By rotating them, the tires wear down more evenly. This helps extend their life but also can help minimize the risk of blowouts. Your car insurance may offer some protection from this type of accident. However, it is best to have the dealership or mechanic rotate the tires every other time you change the oil. You might avoid an accident altogether.

Check Your Tires Routinely

Most manufacturers recommend checking your tires at least one time a week. You do so to ensure they are in good condition. If you notice stones, nails or other items embedded in them, have these items removed. Your mechanic can help with this. Also look for any damage to the rim. A small bend here can throw off the alignment significantly.

Try To Drive Safely

This seems like a simple statement, but it can help minimize accidents. Avoid curbs and potholes. Ensure your vehicle has proper alignment, especially if you drive on uneven surfaces. This is also something your mechanic can help you with. Drive the speed limit, too. If you notice changes in the way the vehicle feels or drives, such as pulling to one side, get in it for an inspection.

Keep in mind auto insurance does not pay to simply replace tires. It is a normal type of wear and tear on a vehicle. Tires damaged by accidents might have coverage, however. Still, your insurance company may deny some car insurance claims as well if caused by tire wear and tear.

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Home Insurance and Rising Home Prices – Improving Your Policy

Craftsman home exterior and front yard

Home Insurance and Rising Home Prices – Improving Your Policy

Today’s homeowner may see the value of homes around them on the rise. Many real estate markets are noticing this. But, does it impact your home insurance policy? It could, especially in areas where significant value increases are playing out. If your area is one of these, contact your home insurance agent to learn more about improving your policy. What do you need to do?

How Much Is Your Policy Worth?

A good place to start is with an understanding of the value of your home insurance policy. Now, it is always important to invest in enough coverage to rebuild your home. This is not the same as the current sale price of the property. Building it generally costs more. However, rising home prices lead to rising building prices, too. In other words, if your area is seeing significant jumps in home prices, then the cost to rebuild your home is likely up as well.

To determine what your home insurance coverage is, contact your insurance agent. Your policy should offer information as well. Is it enough to cover the cost to rebuild your home? If your policy is not for this need, update it with your insurer.

How Much Should You Have?

It is not possible to put a specific figure or even percentage on this. This differs from one community to the next. However, there are a few things you can do right now to determine if you have enough coverage.

  • Ask your agent about recent claims in your area. How much is a home like yours likely to cost to rebuild?

  • Talk to an area builder. You can have an appraisal done or have the builder offer estimates to you.

  • Look at the various costs to rebuild a home right now. Local construction can give you some indication of this.

Adjusting the amount of coverage you have is important for various reasons. Importantly, it helps ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if your home suffers a significant or total loss. If not, you may not be able to rebuild fully, or you may have to pay out of pocket for some of your losses. To avoid this, update your policy as you notice home values in your area rising. It may not cost you much to add more coverage to your plan. However, it will provide a significantly higher level of coverage.