Infographic

Tornado preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your home and vehicles.

Tornado preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your home and vehicles.

Tornado preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Infographic with homeowner tips for what to do before, during and after a tornado.

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your home and vehicles.

View transcript

Fast facts
The states with the highest number of tornados are Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois and Iowa. (iii link) 
The most expensive U.S. tornado event was in August 2020 with an outbreak over several days which included the August 10 Midwest Deracho. Over $9 billion in insured losses were incurred and 16 states were impacted. (iii link)

Prepare today
Create a family communications plan – Develop a family contact sheet with names, addresses and phone numbers of important contacts including doctors, schools and out-of-state family members. Keep an online backup available. (Need a place to start? Download a plan here.)
Make a home inventory – Insurance claims are typically process faster when an inventory is available.
Stay alert - Sign up for weather alerts.
Never shelter in a mobile home - Head to a nearby shelter

Fix it up - Repair loose boards, shingles, shutters and downspouts.
Pet owners – Research pet friendly hotels and shelters.

If a storm is coming
Select a shelter and make a plan.
Stock up – 
Battery-operated radio
Flashlights
Batteries
Medications
First aid kit
Non-perishable food and water
See a suggested list from the Red Cross.
Keep your eye on the sky – Watch for heavy, dark clouds with thunder and lightning.
Listen to weather updates – Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
Move items inside – Outdoor items such as bikes and furniture may blow around during the storm and cause damage. 
Park your car in the garage.

During the storm
Seek shelter immediately – Stay away from doors, windows and outside rooms and head to a designated and stocked area, such as a basement, storm cellar or windowless interior room.
Never shelter in a mobile home – Head to a nearby shelter.
Stay away from trees, power lines and utility poles.
Keep low – If you are in a high rise, head to the lowest floor possible.
 
After the storm
Check for family or neighbors – Locate individuals who may have been injured or trapped. Do not move injured people; call 911. Call 211 for shelter locations and disaster information.
Reconnect – Reach out to a designated family member or friend who is unlikely to have been affected by the tornado. Register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website.
Inspect gas, electrical and water lines – Carefully look for structural damage such as foundation cracks. If unfamiliar with what to look for, call a professional or emergency services.  
Document any property damage – Take photos and videos and save receipts for immediate repairs made to prevent further damage.
Avoid touching power lines – Assume all downed power lines are live.
Wait to dispose of any items – Don’t throw items away until you have met with your insurance adjuster.
Notify our claims team if there is damage – We can help you prevent further damage and assist you in getting back to pre-tornado conditions. 

How to report a claim
Online at www.hanover.com
Prestige claims:877-922-2774
Platinum policy service: 800-799-6977
General claims: 800-628-0250
By mobile app: Hanover mobile

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

 

Tornado preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Infographic with homeowner tips for what to do before, during and after a tornado.

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your home and vehicles.

Infographic

Tornado preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your business and vehicles.

Tornado preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your business and vehicles.

Tornado preparation and safety tips for businesses

Infographic with business tips for what to do before, during and after a tornado.

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your business and vehicles.

View transcript

Fast facts
The states with the highest number of tornados are Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois and Iowa. (iii) 
The most expensive U.S. tornado event was in August 2020 with an outbreak over several days which included the August 10 Midwest Deracho. Over $9 billion in insured losses were incurred and 16 states were impacted. (iii)

Prepare today
Have a plan in place - Develop a written business continuity plan that includes tornado preparedness. Make sure employees know what to do if a storm is coming.
Purchase a weather radio – Obtain a radio with local discrimination capability. 
Stay alert - Sign up for and pay attention to weather alerts.
Back it up - Have emergency backup power lined up for your facility before a storm is forecast. 
Assess security needs - Depending on the type of business you run, you may need additional security at the site following a storm. 
Check your coverage - Review your business insurance coverage. 

If a storm is coming
Select a shelter and make a plan.
Keep your eye on the sky – Watch for heavy, dark clouds with thunder and lightning.
Listen to weather updates – Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
Move items inside – Outdoor materials may around during the storm and cause damage. 

During the storm
Seek shelter immediately - Head to a designated and stocked area.
If you are in a car, stop and get out – Seek shelter away from your vehicle.
Stay away from trees, power lines and utility poles.
Keep low – If you are in a high rise, head to the lowest floor possible.
 
After the storm
Check for employees – Locate individuals who may be trapped or injured. Do not move injured people; call 911.
Inspect gas, electrical and water lines – Carefully look for structural damage such as foundation cracks. If unfamiliar with what to look for, call a professional or emergency services.  
Document any property damage – Take photos and videos and save receipts for immediate repairs made to prevent further damage.
Stay out of damaged buildings – Do not enter until it is safe to do so.
Avoid touching power lines – Assume all downed power lines are live.
Wait to dispose of any items – Don’t throw items away until you have met with your insurance adjuster.
Notify our claims team if there is damage – We can help you prevent further damage and assist you in getting back to pre-tornado conditions. 

How to report a claim

Online at www.hanover.com

By phone: 800-628-0250

By mobile app: Hanover mobile

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
 

 

Tornado preparation and safety tips for businesses

Infographic with business tips for what to do before, during and after a tornado.

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a tornado.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a tornado. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a tornado on your business and vehicles.

Infographic

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your home and vehicles.

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your home and vehicles.

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your home and vehicles.

View transcript

Fast facts
40 million lighting strikes hit the ground each year in the U.S. - CDC 
A flash of lightning can heat the air around it so it’s 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun. – National Geographic
The odds of being struck by lightning in one’s lifetime (estimated 80 years) are 1 in 15,300. – National Weather Service 

Prepare today
Create a family communications plan – Develop a family contact sheet with names, addresses and phone numbers of important contacts including doctors, schools and out-of-state family members. Keep an online backup available. 
Make a home inventory – Insurance claims are typically process faster when an inventory is available.
Stay alert - Sign up for weather alerts.

To help avoid any future hail damage:
Inspect your roof - Repair any problem areas.
Think impact-resistance - Select a hail impact-resistant roof for a new building or when re-roofing.
Keep trees trimmed and maintained.
Clean your gutters - Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear to ensure water can efficiently drain from your roof.

If a storm is coming
Inspect sump pump – Test the battery back-up.
Park your car in the garage.
Move items inside – Outdoor items such as bikes and furniture may blow around during the storm and cause damage. 
Go inside if you hear thunder – Lightning is close enough to strike when you hear rumbling. Head inside and stay indoors until 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

During the storm
Stay indoors – Keep away from windows and move to an interior room if possible. Wait to go outside until there is confirmation that the storm is no longer a threat to your area.
Find safe shelter (not under trees) if you are outside.
Remain in your vehicle if you are driving ¬  Pull over to a safe location if driving becomes difficult.
Listen to weather updates - Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
Avoid using electric appliances.
Wait to go outside – Remain inside until there is confirmation that the storm has passed by your area.

After the storm
If there is flooding: 
Clean up pools of water.
Dry damp areas to prevent mold and mildew.
Move damp items outdoors when safe to prevent mold growth in the home.
Move items away from damp areas.
Notify our claims team if there is damage 

How to report a claim
Online at www.hanover.com
Prestige claims:877-922-2774
Platinum policy service: 800-799-6977
General claims: 800-628-0250
By mobile app: Hanover mobile

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

 

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your home and vehicles.

Infographic

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your business and vehicles.

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your business and vehicles.

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for businesses

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your business and vehicles.

View transcript

Fast facts
40 million lighting strikes hit the ground each year in the U.S. - CDC 
A flash of lightning can heat the air around it so it’s 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun. – National Geographic
The odds of being struck by lightning in one’s lifetime (estimated 80 years) are 1 in 15,300. – National Weather Service 

Prepare today
Have a plan in place - Develop a written business continuity plan that includes lightning and thunderstorm preparedness. Make sure employees know what to do if they see lighting or hear thunder.
Purchase a weather radio – Obtain a radio with local discrimination capability. 

Stay alert - Sign up for and pay attention to weather alerts.
Back it up - Have emergency backup power lined up for your facility before you are faced with a weather hazard.
Check your coverage - Review your business insurance coverage. 

To help avoid any future hail damage:
Inspect your roof - Repair any problem areas.
Think impact-resistance - Select a hail impact-resistant roof for a new building or when re-roofing.
Protect electrical systems - Consider installing hail guards to protect HVAC systems or purchasing HVAC equipment with factory-installed hail guards.
Keep trees trimmed and maintained.
Clean your gutters - Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear to ensure water can efficiently drain from your roof.

Before the storm
Secure outdoor heating and cooling units – Check HVAC, turbines and exhaust fans.
Move items inside – Outdoor equipment, materials and furniture may blow around during the storm and cause damage. 
Park your fleet in a garage - Take the keys with you to a secure location.
Remove items from the floor – Transfer items to higher ground in case of flooding.
Take photographs – Get a pre-storm record of your property.
 
During the storm
Stay indoors – Keep away from windows and move to an interior room if possible. Wait to go outside until there is confirmation that the storm is no longer a threat to your area.
Find safe shelter (not under trees) if you are outside.
Remain in your vehicle if you are driving -  Pull over to a safe location if driving becomes difficult.
Listen to weather updates - Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
Avoid using electric appliances.
Wait to go outside – Remain inside until there is confirmation that the storm has passed by your area.

After the storm
If there is flooding: 
Clean up pools of water.
Dry damp areas to prevent mold and mildew.
Move damp items outdoors when safe to prevent mold growth.
Move items away from damp areas.
Notify our claims team if there is damage.
Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to start a claim.

How to report a claim

Online at www.hanover.com

By phone: 800-628-0250

By mobile app: Hanover mobile

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
 

 

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for businesses

Severe storm preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a severe storm.

Sources:

CDC 

National Geographic

National Weather Service

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a heavy rain and lightning storm. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a storm on your business and vehicles.

Infographic

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your business and vehicles.

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for businesses

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your business and vehicles.

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for businesses

Infographic with business tips for what to do before, during and after a hurricane.

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your business and vehicles.

View transcript

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for businesses

Fast facts

5 of the 10 costliest hurricanes in U.S. history took place between 2017-2021. (iii link)

The average for the Atlantic hurricane season is 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes (NOAA link)

Prepare today

Have a plan in place - Develop a written business continuity plan that includes hurricane preparedness.

Make sure employees know what to do if a storm is coming.

Stay alert - Sign up for and pay attention to weather alerts.

Back it up - Have emergency backup power lined up for your facility before a storm is forecast.

Check your coverage - Review your business insurance coverage.

Buy flood insurance if there is a possibility for flooding in your area or if you could be affected by a storm surge.

Plan for storage - If your facility is in a low-lying area, plan for alternative storage sites at a higher elevation where equipment, files, and vehicles can be moved prior to a storm.

Assess security needs - Depending on the type of business you run you may need additional security at the site following a storm.

If a storm is coming

Batten down the hatches – Install hurricane shutters, panels or shields.

Cover windows and doors with fitted plywood sheets.

Keep employees informed – Create an up-to-date contact list for all employees to relay business and safety updates.

Cover and move it up - Put heavy plastic over all computers, printers and phones. Place all paperwork and files in a secure location above ground level to avoid water damage.

Create a backup – Back up data off site in case there is damage to computer systems and files.

Shut it off - If you know how to do it safely and if recommended, shut off gas to the building and make sure outdoor HVAC, turbines and exhaust fans are secured. Contact a professional if assistance is needed.

Move or relocate – Put items inside (outdoor equipment, materials, furniture) as they may blow around during the storm and cause damage.

Park your fleet in a garage - Take the keys with you to a secure location.

Set up remote cameras and water sensors (if time allows) – Safely monitor your business when you are not there.

During the storm

Stay inside - Remain indoors until it is safe to go outside. Move to an interior room if possible.

Listen to weather updates - Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.

After the storm

Reconnect with employees - Make sure your employees are accounted for and safe.

Access and document damage – Take photos and video of any damage you can safely access prior to clean up. Save all receipts.

Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to start a claim.

How to report a claim

Online at www.hanover.com

By phone: 800-628-0250

By mobile app: Hanover mobile

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

 

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for businesses

Infographic with business tips for what to do before, during and after a hurricane.

Learn ways to prepare your business before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your business and vehicles.

Infographic

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your home and vehicles.

 

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your home and vehicles.

 

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Infographic with homeowner tips for what to do before, during and after a hurricane.

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your home and vehicles.

 

View transcript

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Fast facts

5 of the 10 costliest hurricanes in U.S. history took place between 2017-2021. (iii link)
The average for the Atlantic hurricane season is 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes (NOAA link)


Prepare today

Create a family communications plan – Develop a family contact sheet with names, addresses and phone numbers of important contacts including doctors, schools and out-of-state family members. Keep an online backup available. (Need a place to start? Download a plan here.)
Make a home inventory – Insurance claims are processed 50% faster when an inventory is available.
Stay alert - Sign up for weather alerts.
Fix it up - Repair loose boards, shingles, shutters and downspouts.
Pet owners – research pet friendly hotels and shelters.


If a storm is coming

Stock up -
Battery-operated radio
Flashlights
Batteries
Medications
First aid kit
Non-perishable food and water (1 week’s worth)
Gas up - Fill your car and generator with gas and keep extra fuel handy in approved containers and in a safe location.
Park your car in the garage.
Move items inside – Outdoor items such as bikes and furniture may blow around during the storm and cause damage.
Store gas powered items outside - Do not store gas-powered articles inside your home; secure them outside.
Cover windows and doors - Use storm shutters or plywood nailed to window frames to protect windows.
Fill it up – Fill bathtubs and sinks with water to use for flushing and washing.
Raise it up – If you have valuables stored in a basement or an area of your home more prone to flooding, move the items to a higher location to reduce the chance of damage.
During the storm

Stay indoors – Keep away from windows and move to an interior room if possible. Wait to go outside until there is confirmation that the storm is no longer a threat to your area.
Listen to weather updates - Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
Keep it cold – Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting and keep your refrigerator doors closed so food will stay as cold as possible in case the power goes out.

After the storm

Access and document damage – Take photos and video of any damage you can safely access prior to clean up.
Dry it up – If any area of your home flooded or got wet, dry the impacted items as best as you can to help avoid the growth of mold and mildew.
Be cautious when you go outside – Stay aware of downed power lines and any loose tree branches.
Save all receipts.
Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to start a claim.


How to report a claim

Online at www.hanover.com
Prestige claims:877-922-2774
Platinum policy service: 800-799-6977
General claims: 800-628-0250
By mobile app: Hanover mobile


This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

 

Hurricane preparation and safety tips for homeowners

Infographic with homeowner tips for what to do before, during and after a hurricane.

Learn ways to prepare your home before, during and after a hurricane.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute

NOAA

 

These essential tips, developed by The Hanover, provide important guidelines to help you prevent the most common weather-related damage that may occur during a hurricane. Bookmark this page to refer to these tips regularly, to help avoid or reduce the effects of a hurricane on your home and vehicles.

 

Article

Busting common myths about service centers

customer service representative smiling

Smart decisions are often difficult ones. 

For independent agents, this is especially true of the decision to adopt a service center model. After all, you pride yourself on the strength of your customer relationships, your attachment to your community and your ability to apply your insurance expertise.

But adopting a service center model may be the best way you can positively impact your agency's productivity and realize a long-term growth strategy. So, what is stopping you from taking this important step?

It could be one of these many misconceptions agents hold about working with service centers. If you find yourself encountering one of these hurdles, you're not alone. And we have answers. See why partnering with a service center, like The Hanover's customer service center (CSC), is the right call.

Perception: We are an agency that prides ourselves on our customer relationships. A service center will make us feel disconnected from our clients. 

Fact: Your customers value the relationship they have with you. But it's not because you answer their billing questions. In the moment when a customer has a problem or need to make a change, they just want it done easily and correctly - no matter if they work directly with you or someone else.

Your customers trust you because of the more consultative and proactive professional advice you offer, and your goal should be to continue to amplify that value in your customer relationships. That's where your service center partners, like the Hanover CSC, come in. These centers increase the capacity of your office, by acting as an extension of it. In addition, really strong service centers also augment your existing sales and retention programs.

For instance, when you partner with The Hanover's CSC, you can access exclusive services including inbound sales support, and loyalty-building customer outreach programs. The extra capacity your agency gains gives your staff much more time to focus on activities that truly deepen relationships and generate growth, such as proactive renewal reviews with clients, regular check-ins with customers, claims outreach, and new business prospecting.

Lastly, the best service centers, like The Hanover's, continually invest in technology to give you transparency into the interactions they have with your customers, allowing you to remain fully informed on calls and resolutions.

Perception: My staff won’t buy into working with a service center. 

Fact: You value your team and their expertise, and your team takes pride in their knowledge and credentials as a licensed professional. By giving them the opportunity to tackle the proactive activities that solidify retention and generate revenue, rather than spending the day putting out fires and handling standard service requests, you give them the chance to grow their skills and become even more integral to the success of your agency. Your employees will embrace the opportunity to evolve and flourish.

Perception: We're a small shop. A service center is not something we can afford. 

Fact: Can you afford NOT to do this? Look at it this way: if you are a staff of three, and one person is out, for whatever reason, you've lost 33% of your productivity. That call that goes unreturned or the issue that remains unaddressed could mean a customer that ends up going elsewhere.  

Or worse, you lose a staff member.  If you calculate the amount you invest in a service center vs. what you pay for an employee's salary, plus benefits, you'll typically find this is well worth the investment. And that's not even factoring in the time it takes to find and onboard a replacement.

As a small shop, you need to be focused on growing your business, not handling address changes and billing questions. Service centers enable you to meet evolving customer expectations (like weekend or evening hours) while providing a seamless experience, all while giving your agency time to prospect and build up your presence in your community. Plus, any employee vacancy you experience is now an opportunity to focus on hiring sales talent instead. 

Perception: Our clients always call me. They're not going to want to talk to a service center. 

Fact: The best service centers create a seamless solution for customers by ensuring their representative has the knowledge of the account necessary to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. So, while your customer appreciates talking to you, their primary goal in the moment is typically to get their problem or change resolved quickly and easily. You can encourage your customers to take full advantage of their extended service team and  benefits like longer hours for basic updates, and then reach out to you for more advanced questions or advising. 

And, in the case of The Hanover, options also exist for your agency to maintain a personal touch, enabling you to answer the phone, and transferring the call to "your Hanover team" for Hanover-specific questions.

Perception: I am concerned about errors a service center might make. 

Fact: High-quality carrier service centers, like the Hanover CSC, record calls for quality assurance and take on the E&O exposure on any transactions they handle. The Hanover CSC also does weekly coaching with all our teams to create a elevated level of service excellence. 

Perception: If a customer wants to change carriers, I won't know about it and won't have a chance to work with the customer.  

Fact: The best service centers provide constant transparency into its interactions with your customers, and works to keep those customers at your agency.

The Hanover CSC, for example, has a full team focused on retention, that reviews client policies, deductibles and potential discounts, in the event they are unhappy with their current coverage. And if the customer is still dissatisfied, we send them back to you to explore more options. While we'll attempt to keep the customer with The Hanover, we know it's most important that they stay with your agency.

In addition, your agency also benefits from proactive retention measures. The Hanover CSC has specific retention programs that target your customers most vulnerable to leaving to go direct and proactively reaches out to them on your behalf.

Perception:  I’ll need to fire and/or replace my existing service staff.

Fact: Based on your vision for your agency, you have much better options. If you want to leverage your service staff for service, the work we do will enable them to focus on developing and providing more high-value service. This means no more billing calls or standard vehicle changes, but instead, proactive renewal calls or check-ins throughout the year, with more in-depth consultative conversations. This can be more rewarding for your service staff and builds deeper customer relationships.

And if you’re looking to transition your staff to a sales-focus, your service team, with their earned knowledge of carrier and policy options, can make great sales talent. Modern sales is all about relationship-building and consultation to help educate a customer and allow them to reach an educated decision on their own. Your service team already has that trust established with your customer base. 

Perception: Now is just not the right time.

Fact: There never really seems to be a "right time" to make a major decision, is there? Especially one that could have the operational impact as a service center can. The fact is, a service center is becoming less of a luxury for independent agencies, and more of a lifeline.This is not a decision to put off until until your staff is overwhelmed, or you lose your best employee due to workload issues or dissatisfaction. While this can be a shift in culture and mindset for the whole office, in the end, partnering with a service center allows you to provide the best customer service to your clients, and get the most out of your staff. 

Adopting a service center model can feel like a major decision. But it can also be a major game-changer for your agency's growth and efficiency. The best place to start is with a carrier partner you trust. The Hanover CSC is here to help you drive success for your agency. 


 

Learn more about The Hanover's CSC    Request a consultation

Busting common myths about service centers

Smart decisions are often difficult ones. 

For independent agents, this is especially true of the decision to adopt a service center model. After all, you pride yourself on the strength of your customer relationships, your attachment to your community and your ability to apply your insurance expertise.

But adopting a service center model may be the best way you can positively impact your agency's productivity and realize a long-term growth strategy. So, what is stopping you from taking this important step?

It could be one of these many misconceptions agents hold about working with service centers. If you find yourself encountering one of these hurdles, you're not alone. And we have answers. See why partnering with a service center, like The Hanover's customer service center (CSC), is the right call.

Perception: We are an agency that prides ourselves on our customer relationships. A service center will make us feel disconnected from our clients. 

Fact: Your customers value the relationship they have with you. But it's not because you answer their billing questions. In the moment when a customer has a problem or need to make a change, they just want it done easily and correctly - no matter if they work directly with you or someone else.

Your customers trust you because of the more consultative and proactive professional advice you offer, and your goal should be to continue to amplify that value in your customer relationships. That's where your service center partners, like the Hanover CSC, come in. These centers increase the capacity of your office, by acting as an extension of it. In addition, really strong service centers also augment your existing sales and retention programs.

For instance, when you partner with The Hanover's CSC, you can access exclusive services including inbound sales support, and loyalty-building customer outreach programs. The extra capacity your agency gains gives your staff much more time to focus on activities that truly deepen relationships and generate growth, such as proactive renewal reviews with clients, regular check-ins with customers, claims outreach, and new business prospecting.

Lastly, the best service centers, like The Hanover's, continually invest in technology to give you transparency into the interactions they have with your customers, allowing you to remain fully informed on calls and resolutions.

Perception: My staff won’t buy into working with a service center. 

Fact: You value your team and their expertise, and your team takes pride in their knowledge and credentials as a licensed professional. By giving them the opportunity to tackle the proactive activities that solidify retention and generate revenue, rather than spending the day putting out fires and handling standard service requests, you give them the chance to grow their skills and become even more integral to the success of your agency. Your employees will embrace the opportunity to evolve and flourish.

Perception: We're a small shop. A service center is not something we can afford. 

Fact: Can you afford NOT to do this? Look at it this way: if you are a staff of three, and one person is out, for whatever reason, you've lost 33% of your productivity. That call that goes unreturned or the issue that remains unaddressed could mean a customer that ends up going elsewhere.  

Or worse, you lose a staff member.  If you calculate the amount you invest in a service center vs. what you pay for an employee's salary, plus benefits, you'll typically find this is well worth the investment. And that's not even factoring in the time it takes to find and onboard a replacement.

As a small shop, you need to be focused on growing your business, not handling address changes and billing questions. Service centers enable you to meet evolving customer expectations (like weekend or evening hours) while providing a seamless experience, all while giving your agency time to prospect and build up your presence in your community. Plus, any employee vacancy you experience is now an opportunity to focus on hiring sales talent instead. 

Perception: Our clients always call me. They're not going to want to talk to a service center. 

Fact: The best service centers create a seamless solution for customers by ensuring their representative has the knowledge of the account necessary to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. So, while your customer appreciates talking to you, their primary goal in the moment is typically to get their problem or change resolved quickly and easily. You can encourage your customers to take full advantage of their extended service team and  benefits like longer hours for basic updates, and then reach out to you for more advanced questions or advising. 

And, in the case of The Hanover, options also exist for your agency to maintain a personal touch, enabling you to answer the phone, and transferring the call to "your Hanover team" for Hanover-specific questions.

Perception: I am concerned about errors a service center might make. 

Fact: High-quality carrier service centers, like the Hanover CSC, record calls for quality assurance and take on the E&O exposure on any transactions they handle. The Hanover CSC also does weekly coaching with all our teams to create a elevated level of service excellence. 

Perception: If a customer wants to change carriers, I won't know about it and won't have a chance to work with the customer.  

Fact: The best service centers provide constant transparency into its interactions with your customers, and works to keep those customers at your agency.

The Hanover CSC, for example, has a full team focused on retention, that reviews client policies, deductibles and potential discounts, in the event they are unhappy with their current coverage. And if the customer is still dissatisfied, we send them back to you to explore more options. While we'll attempt to keep the customer with The Hanover, we know it's most important that they stay with your agency.

In addition, your agency also benefits from proactive retention measures. The Hanover CSC has specific retention programs that target your customers most vulnerable to leaving to go direct and proactively reaches out to them on your behalf.

Perception:  I’ll need to fire and/or replace my existing service staff.

Fact: Based on your vision for your agency, you have much better options. If you want to leverage your service staff for service, the work we do will enable them to focus on developing and providing more high-value service. This means no more billing calls or standard vehicle changes, but instead, proactive renewal calls or check-ins throughout the year, with more in-depth consultative conversations. This can be more rewarding for your service staff and builds deeper customer relationships.

And if you’re looking to transition your staff to a sales-focus, your service team, with their earned knowledge of carrier and policy options, can make great sales talent. Modern sales is all about relationship-building and consultation to help educate a customer and allow them to reach an educated decision on their own. Your service team already has that trust established with your customer base. 

Perception: Now is just not the right time.

Fact: There never really seems to be a "right time" to make a major decision, is there? Especially one that could have the operational impact as a service center can. The fact is, a service center is becoming less of a luxury for independent agencies, and more of a lifeline.This is not a decision to put off until until your staff is overwhelmed, or you lose your best employee due to workload issues or dissatisfaction. While this can be a shift in culture and mindset for the whole office, in the end, partnering with a service center allows you to provide the best customer service to your clients, and get the most out of your staff. 

Adopting a service center model can feel like a major decision. But it can also be a major game-changer for your agency's growth and efficiency. The best place to start is with a carrier partner you trust. The Hanover CSC is here to help you drive success for your agency. 


 

Learn more about The Hanover's CSC    Request a consultation

Busting common myths about service centers

Smart decisions are often difficult ones. 

For independent agents, this is especially true of the decision to adopt a service center model. After all, you pride yourself on the strength of your customer relationships, your attachment to your community and your ability to apply your insurance expertise.

But adopting a service center model may be the best way you can positively impact your agency's productivity and realize a long-term growth strategy. So, what is stopping you from taking this important step?

It could be one of these many misconceptions agents hold about working with service centers. If you find yourself encountering one of these hurdles, you're not alone. And we have answers. See why partnering with a service center, like The Hanover's customer service center (CSC), is the right call.

Perception: We are an agency that prides ourselves on our customer relationships. A service center will make us feel disconnected from our clients. 

Fact: Your customers value the relationship they have with you. But it's not because you answer their billing questions. In the moment when a customer has a problem or need to make a change, they just want it done easily and correctly - no matter if they work directly with you or someone else.

Your customers trust you because of the more consultative and proactive professional advice you offer, and your goal should be to continue to amplify that value in your customer relationships. That's where your service center partners, like the Hanover CSC, come in. These centers increase the capacity of your office, by acting as an extension of it. In addition, really strong service centers also augment your existing sales and retention programs.

For instance, when you partner with The Hanover's CSC, you can access exclusive services including inbound sales support, and loyalty-building customer outreach programs. The extra capacity your agency gains gives your staff much more time to focus on activities that truly deepen relationships and generate growth, such as proactive renewal reviews with clients, regular check-ins with customers, claims outreach, and new business prospecting.

Lastly, the best service centers, like The Hanover's, continually invest in technology to give you transparency into the interactions they have with your customers, allowing you to remain fully informed on calls and resolutions.

Perception: My staff won’t buy into working with a service center. 

Fact: You value your team and their expertise, and your team takes pride in their knowledge and credentials as a licensed professional. By giving them the opportunity to tackle the proactive activities that solidify retention and generate revenue, rather than spending the day putting out fires and handling standard service requests, you give them the chance to grow their skills and become even more integral to the success of your agency. Your employees will embrace the opportunity to evolve and flourish.

Perception: We're a small shop. A service center is not something we can afford. 

Fact: Can you afford NOT to do this? Look at it this way: if you are a staff of three, and one person is out, for whatever reason, you've lost 33% of your productivity. That call that goes unreturned or the issue that remains unaddressed could mean a customer that ends up going elsewhere.  

Or worse, you lose a staff member.  If you calculate the amount you invest in a service center vs. what you pay for an employee's salary, plus benefits, you'll typically find this is well worth the investment. And that's not even factoring in the time it takes to find and onboard a replacement.

As a small shop, you need to be focused on growing your business, not handling address changes and billing questions. Service centers enable you to meet evolving customer expectations (like weekend or evening hours) while providing a seamless experience, all while giving your agency time to prospect and build up your presence in your community. Plus, any employee vacancy you experience is now an opportunity to focus on hiring sales talent instead. 

Perception: Our clients always call me. They're not going to want to talk to a service center. 

Fact: The best service centers create a seamless solution for customers by ensuring their representative has the knowledge of the account necessary to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. So, while your customer appreciates talking to you, their primary goal in the moment is typically to get their problem or change resolved quickly and easily. You can encourage your customers to take full advantage of their extended service team and  benefits like longer hours for basic updates, and then reach out to you for more advanced questions or advising. 

And, in the case of The Hanover, options also exist for your agency to maintain a personal touch, enabling you to answer the phone, and transferring the call to "your Hanover team" for Hanover-specific questions.

Perception: I am concerned about errors a service center might make. 

Fact: High-quality carrier service centers, like the Hanover CSC, record calls for quality assurance and take on the E&O exposure on any transactions they handle. The Hanover CSC also does weekly coaching with all our teams to create a elevated level of service excellence. 

Perception: If a customer wants to change carriers, I won't know about it and won't have a chance to work with the customer.  

Fact: The best service centers provide constant transparency into its interactions with your customers, and works to keep those customers at your agency.

The Hanover CSC, for example, has a full team focused on retention, that reviews client policies, deductibles and potential discounts, in the event they are unhappy with their current coverage. And if the customer is still dissatisfied, we send them back to you to explore more options. While we'll attempt to keep the customer with The Hanover, we know it's most important that they stay with your agency.

In addition, your agency also benefits from proactive retention measures. The Hanover CSC has specific retention programs that target your customers most vulnerable to leaving to go direct and proactively reaches out to them on your behalf.

Perception:  I’ll need to fire and/or replace my existing service staff.

Fact: Based on your vision for your agency, you have much better options. If you want to leverage your service staff for service, the work we do will enable them to focus on developing and providing more high-value service. This means no more billing calls or standard vehicle changes, but instead, proactive renewal calls or check-ins throughout the year, with more in-depth consultative conversations. This can be more rewarding for your service staff and builds deeper customer relationships.

And if you’re looking to transition your staff to a sales-focus, your service team, with their earned knowledge of carrier and policy options, can make great sales talent. Modern sales is all about relationship-building and consultation to help educate a customer and allow them to reach an educated decision on their own. Your service team already has that trust established with your customer base. 

Perception: Now is just not the right time.

Fact: There never really seems to be a "right time" to make a major decision, is there? Especially one that could have the operational impact as a service center can. The fact is, a service center is becoming less of a luxury for independent agencies, and more of a lifeline.This is not a decision to put off until until your staff is overwhelmed, or you lose your best employee due to workload issues or dissatisfaction. While this can be a shift in culture and mindset for the whole office, in the end, partnering with a service center allows you to provide the best customer service to your clients, and get the most out of your staff. 

Adopting a service center model can feel like a major decision. But it can also be a major game-changer for your agency's growth and efficiency. The best place to start is with a carrier partner you trust. The Hanover CSC is here to help you drive success for your agency. 


 

Learn more about The Hanover's CSC    Request a consultation

Busting common myths about service centers

Smart decisions are often difficult ones. 

For independent agents, this is especially true of the decision to adopt a service center model. After all, you pride yourself on the strength of your customer relationships, your attachment to your community and your ability to apply your insurance expertise.

But adopting a service center model may be the best way you can positively impact your agency's productivity and realize a long-term growth strategy. So, what is stopping you from taking this important step?

It could be one of these many misconceptions agents hold about working with service centers. If you find yourself encountering one of these hurdles, you're not alone. And we have answers. See why partnering with a service center, like The Hanover's customer service center (CSC), is the right call.

Perception: We are an agency that prides ourselves on our customer relationships. A service center will make us feel disconnected from our clients. 

Fact: Your customers value the relationship they have with you. But it's not because you answer their billing questions. In the moment when a customer has a problem or need to make a change, they just want it done easily and correctly - no matter if they work directly with you or someone else.

Your customers trust you because of the more consultative and proactive professional advice you offer, and your goal should be to continue to amplify that value in your customer relationships. That's where your service center partners, like the Hanover CSC, come in. These centers increase the capacity of your office, by acting as an extension of it. In addition, really strong service centers also augment your existing sales and retention programs.

For instance, when you partner with The Hanover's CSC, you can access exclusive services including inbound sales support, and loyalty-building customer outreach programs. The extra capacity your agency gains gives your staff much more time to focus on activities that truly deepen relationships and generate growth, such as proactive renewal reviews with clients, regular check-ins with customers, claims outreach, and new business prospecting.

Lastly, the best service centers, like The Hanover's, continually invest in technology to give you transparency into the interactions they have with your customers, allowing you to remain fully informed on calls and resolutions.

Perception: My staff won’t buy into working with a service center. 

Fact: You value your team and their expertise, and your team takes pride in their knowledge and credentials as a licensed professional. By giving them the opportunity to tackle the proactive activities that solidify retention and generate revenue, rather than spending the day putting out fires and handling standard service requests, you give them the chance to grow their skills and become even more integral to the success of your agency. Your employees will embrace the opportunity to evolve and flourish.

Perception: We're a small shop. A service center is not something we can afford. 

Fact: Can you afford NOT to do this? Look at it this way: if you are a staff of three, and one person is out, for whatever reason, you've lost 33% of your productivity. That call that goes unreturned or the issue that remains unaddressed could mean a customer that ends up going elsewhere.  

Or worse, you lose a staff member.  If you calculate the amount you invest in a service center vs. what you pay for an employee's salary, plus benefits, you'll typically find this is well worth the investment. And that's not even factoring in the time it takes to find and onboard a replacement.

As a small shop, you need to be focused on growing your business, not handling address changes and billing questions. Service centers enable you to meet evolving customer expectations (like weekend or evening hours) while providing a seamless experience, all while giving your agency time to prospect and build up your presence in your community. Plus, any employee vacancy you experience is now an opportunity to focus on hiring sales talent instead. 

Perception: Our clients always call me. They're not going to want to talk to a service center. 

Fact: The best service centers create a seamless solution for customers by ensuring their representative has the knowledge of the account necessary to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. So, while your customer appreciates talking to you, their primary goal in the moment is typically to get their problem or change resolved quickly and easily. You can encourage your customers to take full advantage of their extended service team and  benefits like longer hours for basic updates, and then reach out to you for more advanced questions or advising. 

And, in the case of The Hanover, options also exist for your agency to maintain a personal touch, enabling you to answer the phone, and transferring the call to "your Hanover team" for Hanover-specific questions.

Perception: I am concerned about errors a service center might make. 

Fact: High-quality carrier service centers, like the Hanover CSC, record calls for quality assurance and take on the E&O exposure on any transactions they handle. The Hanover CSC also does weekly coaching with all our teams to create a elevated level of service excellence. 

Perception: If a customer wants to change carriers, I won't know about it and won't have a chance to work with the customer.  

Fact: The best service centers provide constant transparency into its interactions with your customers, and works to keep those customers at your agency.

The Hanover CSC, for example, has a full team focused on retention, that reviews client policies, deductibles and potential discounts, in the event they are unhappy with their current coverage. And if the customer is still dissatisfied, we send them back to you to explore more options. While we'll attempt to keep the customer with The Hanover, we know it's most important that they stay with your agency.

In addition, your agency also benefits from proactive retention measures. The Hanover CSC has specific retention programs that target your customers most vulnerable to leaving to go direct and proactively reaches out to them on your behalf.

Perception:  I’ll need to fire and/or replace my existing service staff.

Fact: Based on your vision for your agency, you have much better options. If you want to leverage your service staff for service, the work we do will enable them to focus on developing and providing more high-value service. This means no more billing calls or standard vehicle changes, but instead, proactive renewal calls or check-ins throughout the year, with more in-depth consultative conversations. This can be more rewarding for your service staff and builds deeper customer relationships.

And if you’re looking to transition your staff to a sales-focus, your service team, with their earned knowledge of carrier and policy options, can make great sales talent. Modern sales is all about relationship-building and consultation to help educate a customer and allow them to reach an educated decision on their own. Your service team already has that trust established with your customer base. 

Perception: Now is just not the right time.

Fact: There never really seems to be a "right time" to make a major decision, is there? Especially one that could have the operational impact as a service center can. The fact is, a service center is becoming less of a luxury for independent agencies, and more of a lifeline.This is not a decision to put off until until your staff is overwhelmed, or you lose your best employee due to workload issues or dissatisfaction. While this can be a shift in culture and mindset for the whole office, in the end, partnering with a service center allows you to provide the best customer service to your clients, and get the most out of your staff. 

Adopting a service center model can feel like a major decision. But it can also be a major game-changer for your agency's growth and efficiency. The best place to start is with a carrier partner you trust. The Hanover CSC is here to help you drive success for your agency. 


 

Learn more about The Hanover's CSC    Request a consultation

Article

The difference you make as an independent agent

Businessman smiling

As an independent agent, you probably feel continual pressure from the staggering marketing power of direct carriers. If so, you can take heart in this statistic: 2 out of every 3 customers who research their insurance purchases online make the final purchase through an agent1.

This is especially true of customers with more complex needs. As a customer's assets and family grows, so do their risks of being underinsured. These customers also know they have a lot to protect, and value the advice of trusted, licensed experts.(And for those that don’t, share this article highlighting the differences between independent and captive agents.)

Your time and knowledge is valuable, and it's what sets you apart from other channels. So, why is so much of your agency's time spent on transactions that don't help grow your business or require your expertise? 
 

Why your customers choose you

Think about the customer experience. If a customer calls a direct writer or a captive, they can get their billing questions answered, just like they can at your agency. They can make a vehicle change. They can get a copy of their ID card or update their mortgage company. Nothing about fulfilling these requests differentiates your agency. Your customers didn't choose you based on your ability to answer the phone. 
 
Knowing the value that you as an independent agent bring, it shouldn't be surprising to learn that independent agency market share is holding its own against directs, while captive market share is steadily declining2. With the ability to offer only one option, captives are stuck going head-to-head with directs and appear to be losing.  

To survive and thrive, you need to provide what directs and captives can't – proactive, personalized consultative expertise that goes above and beyond what a customer can get on a self-service site.  
 

Making a real difference

Chances are, your customers first found you because they live close by. But location isn't the whole story. Independent agencies like yours are an integral part of a cohesive community. So, do you reach new residents by being connected with the local mortgage company? Or your local bank when a car loan gets taken out? Does your agency attend town meetings, volunteer opportunities, or sponsor local events? The more of a visible presence you have in your community, the more you'll be seen as a trusted adviser in touch with the well-being of both the community and its residents.

A big part of maintaining this visibility is staying in touch with your customers on a regular basis. You no doubt recognize the importance of renewal touchpoints, but not all agents have the capacity to do this. Prioritizing this work over the transactional day-to-day items helps reminds your customers that you are actively looking out for their best interest. 

Plus, customers in the high-net-worth space often have elevated expectations for how and how often they want to hear from you. Using the 80/20 rule, determine which customers would most benefit from your time, and prioritize delivering meaningful value for these customers throughout the year.
 

Doing more with less

You're probably thinking, "well, of course I'd like to do all of this, but there's no way my agency has the staff or capacity to take on this work." You're not alone. 

The industry is in the midst of a talent shortage. Hiring is becoming more expensive, insurance professionals are retiring earlier and the staff you have is probably at capacity with the volume of transactions they handle. Where is the room to focus on business-building? 

The fact is, growth-minded agents need to relinquish some of the work they do today that does not maximize their differentiated value. Your agency shouldn’t have to answer billing questions or make policy updates to cars. In the latter case, most auto purchases take place on weekends – when your office is likely not even open.   

The good news is you have options. One is to work with carriers that can offer more in the way of digital tools that allow customers to self-service their policy, while still being able to count on you for answers and consultation for moments that truly matter.  

Another major difference-maker is.adopting a service center model with your best carrier partners. This allows you to extend the capacity of your agency by handing off transactional service. Some of the best, like The Hanover's customer service center, can also amplify your growth with built-in sales and loyalty teams to help you increase sales and retention, along with having consultative discussions on your behalf with customers. This allows your agency to focus on the next level of creating deeper, meaningful customer relationships and providing expert guidance.

After all, that's why they chose you. 

Are you ready to focus your agency on growth-generating activities?

Learn more

 

Sources:

1 2016 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study conducted by J.D. Power
2 Big I 2020 Market Share Report

The difference you make as an independent agent

As an independent agent, you probably feel continual pressure from the staggering marketing power of direct carriers. If so, you can take heart in this statistic: 2 out of every 3 customers who research their insurance purchases online make the final purchase through an agent1.

This is especially true of customers with more complex needs. As a customer's assets and family grows, so do their risks of being underinsured. These customers also know they have a lot to protect, and value the advice of trusted, licensed experts.(And for those that don’t, share this article highlighting the differences between independent and captive agents.)

Your time and knowledge is valuable, and it's what sets you apart from other channels. So, why is so much of your agency's time spent on transactions that don't help grow your business or require your expertise? 
 

Why your customers choose you

Think about the customer experience. If a customer calls a direct writer or a captive, they can get their billing questions answered, just like they can at your agency. They can make a vehicle change. They can get a copy of their ID card or update their mortgage company. Nothing about fulfilling these requests differentiates your agency. Your customers didn't choose you based on your ability to answer the phone. 
 
Knowing the value that you as an independent agent bring, it shouldn't be surprising to learn that independent agency market share is holding its own against directs, while captive market share is steadily declining2. With the ability to offer only one option, captives are stuck going head-to-head with directs and appear to be losing.  

To survive and thrive, you need to provide what directs and captives can't – proactive, personalized consultative expertise that goes above and beyond what a customer can get on a self-service site.  
 

Making a real difference

Chances are, your customers first found you because they live close by. But location isn't the whole story. Independent agencies like yours are an integral part of a cohesive community. So, do you reach new residents by being connected with the local mortgage company? Or your local bank when a car loan gets taken out? Does your agency attend town meetings, volunteer opportunities, or sponsor local events? The more of a visible presence you have in your community, the more you'll be seen as a trusted adviser in touch with the well-being of both the community and its residents.

A big part of maintaining this visibility is staying in touch with your customers on a regular basis. You no doubt recognize the importance of renewal touchpoints, but not all agents have the capacity to do this. Prioritizing this work over the transactional day-to-day items helps reminds your customers that you are actively looking out for their best interest. 

Plus, customers in the high-net-worth space often have elevated expectations for how and how often they want to hear from you. Using the 80/20 rule, determine which customers would most benefit from your time, and prioritize delivering meaningful value for these customers throughout the year.
 

Doing more with less

You're probably thinking, "well, of course I'd like to do all of this, but there's no way my agency has the staff or capacity to take on this work." You're not alone. 

The industry is in the midst of a talent shortage. Hiring is becoming more expensive, insurance professionals are retiring earlier and the staff you have is probably at capacity with the volume of transactions they handle. Where is the room to focus on business-building? 

The fact is, growth-minded agents need to relinquish some of the work they do today that does not maximize their differentiated value. Your agency shouldn’t have to answer billing questions or make policy updates to cars. In the latter case, most auto purchases take place on weekends – when your office is likely not even open.   

The good news is you have options. One is to work with carriers that can offer more in the way of digital tools that allow customers to self-service their policy, while still being able to count on you for answers and consultation for moments that truly matter.  

Another major difference-maker is.adopting a service center model with your best carrier partners. This allows you to extend the capacity of your agency by handing off transactional service. Some of the best, like The Hanover's customer service center, can also amplify your growth with built-in sales and loyalty teams to help you increase sales and retention, along with having consultative discussions on your behalf with customers. This allows your agency to focus on the next level of creating deeper, meaningful customer relationships and providing expert guidance.

After all, that's why they chose you. 

Are you ready to focus your agency on growth-generating activities?

Learn more

 

Sources:

1 2016 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study conducted by J.D. Power
2 Big I 2020 Market Share Report

The difference you make as an independent agent

As an independent agent, you probably feel continual pressure from the staggering marketing power of direct carriers. If so, you can take heart in this statistic: 2 out of every 3 customers who research their insurance purchases online make the final purchase through an agent1.

This is especially true of customers with more complex needs. As a customer's assets and family grows, so do their risks of being underinsured. These customers also know they have a lot to protect, and value the advice of trusted, licensed experts.(And for those that don’t, share this article highlighting the differences between independent and captive agents.)

Your time and knowledge is valuable, and it's what sets you apart from other channels. So, why is so much of your agency's time spent on transactions that don't help grow your business or require your expertise? 
 

Why your customers choose you

Think about the customer experience. If a customer calls a direct writer or a captive, they can get their billing questions answered, just like they can at your agency. They can make a vehicle change. They can get a copy of their ID card or update their mortgage company. Nothing about fulfilling these requests differentiates your agency. Your customers didn't choose you based on your ability to answer the phone. 
 
Knowing the value that you as an independent agent bring, it shouldn't be surprising to learn that independent agency market share is holding its own against directs, while captive market share is steadily declining2. With the ability to offer only one option, captives are stuck going head-to-head with directs and appear to be losing.  

To survive and thrive, you need to provide what directs and captives can't – proactive, personalized consultative expertise that goes above and beyond what a customer can get on a self-service site.  
 

Making a real difference

Chances are, your customers first found you because they live close by. But location isn't the whole story. Independent agencies like yours are an integral part of a cohesive community. So, do you reach new residents by being connected with the local mortgage company? Or your local bank when a car loan gets taken out? Does your agency attend town meetings, volunteer opportunities, or sponsor local events? The more of a visible presence you have in your community, the more you'll be seen as a trusted adviser in touch with the well-being of both the community and its residents.

A big part of maintaining this visibility is staying in touch with your customers on a regular basis. You no doubt recognize the importance of renewal touchpoints, but not all agents have the capacity to do this. Prioritizing this work over the transactional day-to-day items helps reminds your customers that you are actively looking out for their best interest. 

Plus, customers in the high-net-worth space often have elevated expectations for how and how often they want to hear from you. Using the 80/20 rule, determine which customers would most benefit from your time, and prioritize delivering meaningful value for these customers throughout the year.
 

Doing more with less

You're probably thinking, "well, of course I'd like to do all of this, but there's no way my agency has the staff or capacity to take on this work." You're not alone. 

The industry is in the midst of a talent shortage. Hiring is becoming more expensive, insurance professionals are retiring earlier and the staff you have is probably at capacity with the volume of transactions they handle. Where is the room to focus on business-building? 

The fact is, growth-minded agents need to relinquish some of the work they do today that does not maximize their differentiated value. Your agency shouldn’t have to answer billing questions or make policy updates to cars. In the latter case, most auto purchases take place on weekends – when your office is likely not even open.   

The good news is you have options. One is to work with carriers that can offer more in the way of digital tools that allow customers to self-service their policy, while still being able to count on you for answers and consultation for moments that truly matter.  

Another major difference-maker is.adopting a service center model with your best carrier partners. This allows you to extend the capacity of your agency by handing off transactional service. Some of the best, like The Hanover's customer service center, can also amplify your growth with built-in sales and loyalty teams to help you increase sales and retention, along with having consultative discussions on your behalf with customers. This allows your agency to focus on the next level of creating deeper, meaningful customer relationships and providing expert guidance.

After all, that's why they chose you. 

Are you ready to focus your agency on growth-generating activities?

Learn more

 

Sources:

1 2016 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study conducted by J.D. Power
2 Big I 2020 Market Share Report

The difference you make as an independent agent

As an independent agent, you probably feel continual pressure from the staggering marketing power of direct carriers. If so, you can take heart in this statistic: 2 out of every 3 customers who research their insurance purchases online make the final purchase through an agent1.

This is especially true of customers with more complex needs. As a customer's assets and family grows, so do their risks of being underinsured. These customers also know they have a lot to protect, and value the advice of trusted, licensed experts.(And for those that don’t, share this article highlighting the differences between independent and captive agents.)

Your time and knowledge is valuable, and it's what sets you apart from other channels. So, why is so much of your agency's time spent on transactions that don't help grow your business or require your expertise? 
 

Why your customers choose you

Think about the customer experience. If a customer calls a direct writer or a captive, they can get their billing questions answered, just like they can at your agency. They can make a vehicle change. They can get a copy of their ID card or update their mortgage company. Nothing about fulfilling these requests differentiates your agency. Your customers didn't choose you based on your ability to answer the phone. 
 
Knowing the value that you as an independent agent bring, it shouldn't be surprising to learn that independent agency market share is holding its own against directs, while captive market share is steadily declining2. With the ability to offer only one option, captives are stuck going head-to-head with directs and appear to be losing.  

To survive and thrive, you need to provide what directs and captives can't – proactive, personalized consultative expertise that goes above and beyond what a customer can get on a self-service site.  
 

Making a real difference

Chances are, your customers first found you because they live close by. But location isn't the whole story. Independent agencies like yours are an integral part of a cohesive community. So, do you reach new residents by being connected with the local mortgage company? Or your local bank when a car loan gets taken out? Does your agency attend town meetings, volunteer opportunities, or sponsor local events? The more of a visible presence you have in your community, the more you'll be seen as a trusted adviser in touch with the well-being of both the community and its residents.

A big part of maintaining this visibility is staying in touch with your customers on a regular basis. You no doubt recognize the importance of renewal touchpoints, but not all agents have the capacity to do this. Prioritizing this work over the transactional day-to-day items helps reminds your customers that you are actively looking out for their best interest. 

Plus, customers in the high-net-worth space often have elevated expectations for how and how often they want to hear from you. Using the 80/20 rule, determine which customers would most benefit from your time, and prioritize delivering meaningful value for these customers throughout the year.
 

Doing more with less

You're probably thinking, "well, of course I'd like to do all of this, but there's no way my agency has the staff or capacity to take on this work." You're not alone. 

The industry is in the midst of a talent shortage. Hiring is becoming more expensive, insurance professionals are retiring earlier and the staff you have is probably at capacity with the volume of transactions they handle. Where is the room to focus on business-building? 

The fact is, growth-minded agents need to relinquish some of the work they do today that does not maximize their differentiated value. Your agency shouldn’t have to answer billing questions or make policy updates to cars. In the latter case, most auto purchases take place on weekends – when your office is likely not even open.   

The good news is you have options. One is to work with carriers that can offer more in the way of digital tools that allow customers to self-service their policy, while still being able to count on you for answers and consultation for moments that truly matter.  

Another major difference-maker is.adopting a service center model with your best carrier partners. This allows you to extend the capacity of your agency by handing off transactional service. Some of the best, like The Hanover's customer service center, can also amplify your growth with built-in sales and loyalty teams to help you increase sales and retention, along with having consultative discussions on your behalf with customers. This allows your agency to focus on the next level of creating deeper, meaningful customer relationships and providing expert guidance.

After all, that's why they chose you. 

Are you ready to focus your agency on growth-generating activities?

Learn more

 

Sources:

1 2016 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study conducted by J.D. Power
2 Big I 2020 Market Share Report

Infographic

Business income risk by the numbers

 

Learn more about the importance of a regular business income insurance review, and access valuable resources, on our dedicated business income resource page.

Take me there        Download this infographic

 

Business income risk by the numbers

 

Learn more about the importance of a regular business income insurance review, and access valuable resources, on our dedicated business income resource page.

Take me there        Download this infographic

 

Business income risk by the numbers

Infographic outlining unique risks that businesses face when it comes to business income insurance

 

Learn more about the importance of a regular business income insurance review, and access valuable resources, on our dedicated business income resource page.

Take me there        Download this infographic

 

Infographic transcript

Five unique risks that impact business income

40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster                                          
65% of small businesses call a shutdown a top concern          
51% of businesses don't have a business continuity plan in place

Key risks to consider
Operational seasonality or primary customer 
•    Identify and document peak sales data
•    Determine worse case scenarios for extra expense limits

Unique critical equipment 
•    Secure equipment rental option
•    Keep spare parts
•    Pre-arrange outsourcing 

Unique location, building or processes 
•    Special building structures for storage, controls or machinery storage
•    Proximity to critical suppliers or customers or availability of utilities 
•    Special permissions for building reconstruction 

Time to return to full operations  
•    Natural catastrophe which limits labor/materials
•    Zoning changes 
•    Long lead times 

Interdependent locations 
•    How does an interruption at one facility affect other locations?
•    Does one location have 40% or greater impact to production?

Steps to take today
•    Make sure businesses have continuity plans
•    Review business income insurance at each renewal
•    Visit our business income resource page at hanover.com/BI

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage. For more information about The Hanover visit our website at www.hanover.com

 ©2023 The Hanover Insurance Group. All Rights Reserved.

Sources: FEMA, Hanover Small Business Risk Report, Mercer

 

Business income risk by the numbers

Infographic outlining unique risks that businesses face when it comes to business income insurance

 

Learn more about the importance of a regular business income insurance review, and access valuable resources, on our dedicated business income resource page.

Take me there        Download this infographic

 

Article

5 questions to help you assess inland marine risk

Originally seen in Independent Agent.

When business owners first hear the term “marine insurance,” they may understandably immediately think of a big cargo ship on the water. Independent agents are tasked with bringing their attention back to land, where business owners face numerous risks that often require high-quality, dependable inland marine insurance—whether their risks are onsite, off-site, in transit or under construction. 

It can be challenging for some business owners to understand where inland marine insurance comes into play. Often, business owners mistakenly believe property policies will cover all their property-related risks. But the truth is an increasing number of businesses of all sizes need inland marine insurance to address specific property risks, and agents can help their clients recognize these areas of potential coverage shortfalls.

One client base in particular that can benefit from independent agents’ expertise is small businesses, with 69% of small businesses reporting they engage in one or more activities that present a marine risk, according to a recent study by The Hanover.

Here are five questions that can help identify potential vulnerabilities and the need for inland marine coverage. These include:

1) Does the business have buildings or structures under construction? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover claims related to buildings under construction or renovation.

2) Does the business have property that’s frequently moving to different locations? Certain businesses frequently move equipment from one location to another—for instance, construction, broadcasting, consulting and landscaping. That property is exposed to loss as it moves from location to location. Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover business property in transit.

3) Does the business have employees who transport tools, equipment or other items for work purposes? Standard commercial property insurance typically provides only minimal limits for employee tools and equipment, such as a contractor’s tools brought to each job site.

4) Does the business have any property stored off-site? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover property stored at different locations. Yet space comes at a premium for many businesses, so they often turn to off-site storage facilities when they run out of room, such as a manufacturer's backup supply of raw materials or a retailer's unsold inventory.

5) Does the business have specialized, high-value property? Objects of great value, such as high-value artwork and customized manufacturing machinery, are not typically covered by standard commercial property insurance.

A "yes" answer to any of these questions indicates the business may be better protected by adding inland marine protection.

Independent agents can help business owners understand where they may need inland marine protection by reviewing the business’ standard property insurance policy and the value of their property.

The most expensive cost of inland marine insurance? Not having any.

As independent agents know, the unexpected can happen at any time, anywhere. Thankfully, customers can help ensure the longevity of their businesses with specialized inland marine coverage with dedicated limits.

A few hypothetical scenarios that highlight the importance of inland marine coverage are: 

  • Example 1: Vandals break into a multiple story apartment building under renovation and strike an exposed pipe that leaks undetected for hours, flooding the job site as well as some floors that were not under renovation. The cost to clean up the damage would be fully covered with the builder’s risk coverage form providing coverage for the existing building as well as cost of the renovations.
  • Example 2: While in transit to another job site, a contractor’s backhoe falls off its trailer after the truck hit a pothole. The cost to repair the backhoe would be fully covered with the contractor’s equipment policy.
  • Example 3: A small manufacturing firm’s stock of finished goods was destroyed in transit to a customer when a fire engulfed the truck hired to transport the finished products. The cost to resupply the finished products to the customer would be fully covered with the transportation policy that manufacturer had secured.

While each actual claim is evaluated under its own unique facts and circumstances and policy terms and conditions, in these hypothetical scenarios, the business owners clearly needed—and benefited from—inland marine insurance.

Deliver the coverage in a coordinated way

Hanover Marine, a top 10 marine writer, offers an extensive portfolio of products that meet the inland marine coverage needs of customers across a broad set of industries. This enables independent agents to offer clients the specialized inland marine coverage they need to be truly protected, while integrating into an account-focused solution. With this approach, customers benefit from a single bill and a single carrier contact, coordinated loss control activities, and policy language designed to complement and integrate with other policies offered by The Hanover.

Additionally, independent agents benefit from a more efficient placement experience and avoid the duplicate work required when policies are split among carriers.

To learn more about The Hanover’s robust suite of inland marine offerings, including online quote and issue capabilities for builders risk and contractors equipment, visit Agent Solutions.

 

Jason Muise headshot

 

 

About the author

Jason D. Muise is chief underwriting officer, marine, at The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

 

5 questions to help you assess inland marine risk

Originally seen in Independent Agent.

When business owners first hear the term “marine insurance,” they may understandably immediately think of a big cargo ship on the water. Independent agents are tasked with bringing their attention back to land, where business owners face numerous risks that often require high-quality, dependable inland marine insurance—whether their risks are onsite, off-site, in transit or under construction. 

It can be challenging for some business owners to understand where inland marine insurance comes into play. Often, business owners mistakenly believe property policies will cover all their property-related risks. But the truth is an increasing number of businesses of all sizes need inland marine insurance to address specific property risks, and agents can help their clients recognize these areas of potential coverage shortfalls.

One client base in particular that can benefit from independent agents’ expertise is small businesses, with 69% of small businesses reporting they engage in one or more activities that present a marine risk, according to a recent study by The Hanover.

Here are five questions that can help identify potential vulnerabilities and the need for inland marine coverage. These include:

1) Does the business have buildings or structures under construction? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover claims related to buildings under construction or renovation.

2) Does the business have property that’s frequently moving to different locations? Certain businesses frequently move equipment from one location to another—for instance, construction, broadcasting, consulting and landscaping. That property is exposed to loss as it moves from location to location. Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover business property in transit.

3) Does the business have employees who transport tools, equipment or other items for work purposes? Standard commercial property insurance typically provides only minimal limits for employee tools and equipment, such as a contractor’s tools brought to each job site.

4) Does the business have any property stored off-site? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover property stored at different locations. Yet space comes at a premium for many businesses, so they often turn to off-site storage facilities when they run out of room, such as a manufacturer's backup supply of raw materials or a retailer's unsold inventory.

5) Does the business have specialized, high-value property? Objects of great value, such as high-value artwork and customized manufacturing machinery, are not typically covered by standard commercial property insurance.

A "yes" answer to any of these questions indicates the business may be better protected by adding inland marine protection.

Independent agents can help business owners understand where they may need inland marine protection by reviewing the business’ standard property insurance policy and the value of their property.

The most expensive cost of inland marine insurance? Not having any.

As independent agents know, the unexpected can happen at any time, anywhere. Thankfully, customers can help ensure the longevity of their businesses with specialized inland marine coverage with dedicated limits.

A few hypothetical scenarios that highlight the importance of inland marine coverage are: 

  • Example 1: Vandals break into a multiple story apartment building under renovation and strike an exposed pipe that leaks undetected for hours, flooding the job site as well as some floors that were not under renovation. The cost to clean up the damage would be fully covered with the builder’s risk coverage form providing coverage for the existing building as well as cost of the renovations.
  • Example 2: While in transit to another job site, a contractor’s backhoe falls off its trailer after the truck hit a pothole. The cost to repair the backhoe would be fully covered with the contractor’s equipment policy.
  • Example 3: A small manufacturing firm’s stock of finished goods was destroyed in transit to a customer when a fire engulfed the truck hired to transport the finished products. The cost to resupply the finished products to the customer would be fully covered with the transportation policy that manufacturer had secured.

While each actual claim is evaluated under its own unique facts and circumstances and policy terms and conditions, in these hypothetical scenarios, the business owners clearly needed—and benefited from—inland marine insurance.

Deliver the coverage in a coordinated way

Hanover Marine, a top 10 marine writer, offers an extensive portfolio of products that meet the inland marine coverage needs of customers across a broad set of industries. This enables independent agents to offer clients the specialized inland marine coverage they need to be truly protected, while integrating into an account-focused solution. With this approach, customers benefit from a single bill and a single carrier contact, coordinated loss control activities, and policy language designed to complement and integrate with other policies offered by The Hanover.

Additionally, independent agents benefit from a more efficient placement experience and avoid the duplicate work required when policies are split among carriers.

To learn more about The Hanover’s robust suite of inland marine offerings, including online quote and issue capabilities for builders risk and contractors equipment, visit Agent Solutions.

 

Jason Muise headshot

 

 

About the author

Jason D. Muise is chief underwriting officer, marine, at The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

 

5 questions to help you assess inland marine risk

Originally seen in Independent Agent.

When business owners first hear the term “marine insurance,” they may understandably immediately think of a big cargo ship on the water. Independent agents are tasked with bringing their attention back to land, where business owners face numerous risks that often require high-quality, dependable inland marine insurance—whether their risks are onsite, off-site, in transit or under construction. 

It can be challenging for some business owners to understand where inland marine insurance comes into play. Often, business owners mistakenly believe property policies will cover all their property-related risks. But the truth is an increasing number of businesses of all sizes need inland marine insurance to address specific property risks, and agents can help their clients recognize these areas of potential coverage shortfalls.

One client base in particular that can benefit from independent agents’ expertise is small businesses, with 69% of small businesses reporting they engage in one or more activities that present a marine risk, according to a recent study by The Hanover.

Here are five questions that can help identify potential vulnerabilities and the need for inland marine coverage. These include:

1) Does the business have buildings or structures under construction? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover claims related to buildings under construction or renovation.

2) Does the business have property that’s frequently moving to different locations? Certain businesses frequently move equipment from one location to another—for instance, construction, broadcasting, consulting and landscaping. That property is exposed to loss as it moves from location to location. Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover business property in transit.

3) Does the business have employees who transport tools, equipment or other items for work purposes? Standard commercial property insurance typically provides only minimal limits for employee tools and equipment, such as a contractor’s tools brought to each job site.

4) Does the business have any property stored off-site? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover property stored at different locations. Yet space comes at a premium for many businesses, so they often turn to off-site storage facilities when they run out of room, such as a manufacturer's backup supply of raw materials or a retailer's unsold inventory.

5) Does the business have specialized, high-value property? Objects of great value, such as high-value artwork and customized manufacturing machinery, are not typically covered by standard commercial property insurance.

A "yes" answer to any of these questions indicates the business may be better protected by adding inland marine protection.

Independent agents can help business owners understand where they may need inland marine protection by reviewing the business’ standard property insurance policy and the value of their property.

The most expensive cost of inland marine insurance? Not having any.

As independent agents know, the unexpected can happen at any time, anywhere. Thankfully, customers can help ensure the longevity of their businesses with specialized inland marine coverage with dedicated limits.

A few hypothetical scenarios that highlight the importance of inland marine coverage are: 

  • Example 1: Vandals break into a multiple story apartment building under renovation and strike an exposed pipe that leaks undetected for hours, flooding the job site as well as some floors that were not under renovation. The cost to clean up the damage would be fully covered with the builder’s risk coverage form providing coverage for the existing building as well as cost of the renovations.
  • Example 2: While in transit to another job site, a contractor’s backhoe falls off its trailer after the truck hit a pothole. The cost to repair the backhoe would be fully covered with the contractor’s equipment policy.
  • Example 3: A small manufacturing firm’s stock of finished goods was destroyed in transit to a customer when a fire engulfed the truck hired to transport the finished products. The cost to resupply the finished products to the customer would be fully covered with the transportation policy that manufacturer had secured.

While each actual claim is evaluated under its own unique facts and circumstances and policy terms and conditions, in these hypothetical scenarios, the business owners clearly needed—and benefited from—inland marine insurance.

Deliver the coverage in a coordinated way

Hanover Marine, a top 10 marine writer, offers an extensive portfolio of products that meet the inland marine coverage needs of customers across a broad set of industries. This enables independent agents to offer clients the specialized inland marine coverage they need to be truly protected, while integrating into an account-focused solution. With this approach, customers benefit from a single bill and a single carrier contact, coordinated loss control activities, and policy language designed to complement and integrate with other policies offered by The Hanover.

Additionally, independent agents benefit from a more efficient placement experience and avoid the duplicate work required when policies are split among carriers.

To learn more about The Hanover’s robust suite of inland marine offerings, including online quote and issue capabilities for builders risk and contractors equipment, visit Agent Solutions.

 

Jason Muise headshot

 

 

About the author

Jason D. Muise is chief underwriting officer, marine, at The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

 

5 questions to help you assess inland marine risk

Originally seen in Independent Agent.

When business owners first hear the term “marine insurance,” they may understandably immediately think of a big cargo ship on the water. Independent agents are tasked with bringing their attention back to land, where business owners face numerous risks that often require high-quality, dependable inland marine insurance—whether their risks are onsite, off-site, in transit or under construction. 

It can be challenging for some business owners to understand where inland marine insurance comes into play. Often, business owners mistakenly believe property policies will cover all their property-related risks. But the truth is an increasing number of businesses of all sizes need inland marine insurance to address specific property risks, and agents can help their clients recognize these areas of potential coverage shortfalls.

One client base in particular that can benefit from independent agents’ expertise is small businesses, with 69% of small businesses reporting they engage in one or more activities that present a marine risk, according to a recent study by The Hanover.

Here are five questions that can help identify potential vulnerabilities and the need for inland marine coverage. These include:

1) Does the business have buildings or structures under construction? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover claims related to buildings under construction or renovation.

2) Does the business have property that’s frequently moving to different locations? Certain businesses frequently move equipment from one location to another—for instance, construction, broadcasting, consulting and landscaping. That property is exposed to loss as it moves from location to location. Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover business property in transit.

3) Does the business have employees who transport tools, equipment or other items for work purposes? Standard commercial property insurance typically provides only minimal limits for employee tools and equipment, such as a contractor’s tools brought to each job site.

4) Does the business have any property stored off-site? Standard commercial property policies may exclude or may not fully cover property stored at different locations. Yet space comes at a premium for many businesses, so they often turn to off-site storage facilities when they run out of room, such as a manufacturer's backup supply of raw materials or a retailer's unsold inventory.

5) Does the business have specialized, high-value property? Objects of great value, such as high-value artwork and customized manufacturing machinery, are not typically covered by standard commercial property insurance.

A "yes" answer to any of these questions indicates the business may be better protected by adding inland marine protection.

Independent agents can help business owners understand where they may need inland marine protection by reviewing the business’ standard property insurance policy and the value of their property.

The most expensive cost of inland marine insurance? Not having any.

As independent agents know, the unexpected can happen at any time, anywhere. Thankfully, customers can help ensure the longevity of their businesses with specialized inland marine coverage with dedicated limits.

A few hypothetical scenarios that highlight the importance of inland marine coverage are: 

  • Example 1: Vandals break into a multiple story apartment building under renovation and strike an exposed pipe that leaks undetected for hours, flooding the job site as well as some floors that were not under renovation. The cost to clean up the damage would be fully covered with the builder’s risk coverage form providing coverage for the existing building as well as cost of the renovations.
  • Example 2: While in transit to another job site, a contractor’s backhoe falls off its trailer after the truck hit a pothole. The cost to repair the backhoe would be fully covered with the contractor’s equipment policy.
  • Example 3: A small manufacturing firm’s stock of finished goods was destroyed in transit to a customer when a fire engulfed the truck hired to transport the finished products. The cost to resupply the finished products to the customer would be fully covered with the transportation policy that manufacturer had secured.

While each actual claim is evaluated under its own unique facts and circumstances and policy terms and conditions, in these hypothetical scenarios, the business owners clearly needed—and benefited from—inland marine insurance.

Deliver the coverage in a coordinated way

Hanover Marine, a top 10 marine writer, offers an extensive portfolio of products that meet the inland marine coverage needs of customers across a broad set of industries. This enables independent agents to offer clients the specialized inland marine coverage they need to be truly protected, while integrating into an account-focused solution. With this approach, customers benefit from a single bill and a single carrier contact, coordinated loss control activities, and policy language designed to complement and integrate with other policies offered by The Hanover.

Additionally, independent agents benefit from a more efficient placement experience and avoid the duplicate work required when policies are split among carriers.

To learn more about The Hanover’s robust suite of inland marine offerings, including online quote and issue capabilities for builders risk and contractors equipment, visit Agent Solutions.

 

Jason Muise headshot

 

 

About the author

Jason D. Muise is chief underwriting officer, marine, at The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

 

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