Whether it’s a car accident involving expensive medical bills, an incident on your property, or a slander claim, the damage expenses you’re responsible for can add up quickly and exceed the limits of your auto or homeowner’s insurance policies. Plus, unexpected events like these could easily result in a costly lawsuit.
The Prewitt Group
Because it covers the most common lawsuits that arise from everyday business activities, General Liability Insurance is often the go-to coverage for small business owners. But, is it enough to really protect your business?
A Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy covers three primary components: premises liability, products liability and completed operations.
By: David Murdock, J.R. Prewitt & Associates Life, Health and Group Benefits Consultant
Increasing healthcare costs impact both employees and employers. In fact, according to The New York Times, high-priced insurance plans are causing middle-class consumers to drop coverage altogether.
As mentioned in my previous blog, medical trends are the cause of these increasing costs. Medical trends are determined by health insurance companies monitoring the costs of visiting a physician, having lab work done and receiving other routine outpatient treatments. Price inflation, increased usage of medical care and services, leveraging effect of fixed deductibles and copays, cost shifting from the uninsured to private payers, government-mandated benefits, and technological advancements also influence medical trends.
As J.R. Prewitt & Associates’ Manager of Commercial Lines, Marketing & Personal Lines, Linda Tilley provides leadership and problem-solving services for each department in the agency. After 27 years at J.R. Prewitt, Linda’s favorite place to be in Birmingham remains the office on Highland Avenue. She strives to always be there for her fellow employees when they need guidance. To learn more about Linda, check out this Q&A:
In case you haven’t heard, President Donald Trump recently imposed tariffs on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum. The 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum went into effect on June 1, 2018. Trump’s goal with these tariffs is to level the playing field for American manufacturers. While these tariffs will ultimately benefit the American steel and aluminum industries, they may also impact other industries. USA Today highlights a few winners and losers of Trump’s tariffs here.
In case you haven’t heard, Alabama’s new data breach notification law went into effect on June 1st. In short, the law requires a business entity that “acquires or uses sensitive personally identifiable information (Sensitive PII)” to have certain security measures in place and predetermined notification measures to alert impacted individuals of the breach within a reasonable amount of time.
The Alabama Region at Auto-Owners Insurance recently recognized J.R. Prewitt & Associates as a 2017 Top Agent. J.R. Prewitt’s Vice President, Andy Prewitt, received the reward on behalf of the agency at the Auto-Owners’ celebratory luncheon where he and other recipients were presented with a plaque commemorating the accomplishment.
Data breaches are on the rise and a concern for businesses of all industries. For instance, since January 2017, at least 14 retailers have been hacked and likely had information stolen from them. The healthcare industry has also been a target for cyber-criminals, along with the City of Atlanta and many more.
While it’s essential to know what your insurance policy covers, it is just as important to understand what your policy does NOT cover. In commercial insurance terms, an “endorsement” refers to a document attached to an insurance contract that adds, removes or alters the scope of coverage under the policy. To avoid confusion following an incident, it is smart to be aware of any new or existing endorsements that impact your commercial insurance policy.
As J.R. Prewitt & Associates Personal Lines Manager, Becky Glass aims to please clients with unrivaled customer service. She accomplishes this by abiding by her lifelong goal of treating others the way she wants to be treated. To learn more about Becky, check out this Q&A:
Q: What are your responsibilities in your role?
A: I help my staff with retaining current customers and providing the best customer service possible to our clients. I plan with our staff and carriers to meet productions goals and grow our business. My goal is to be head and shoulders above the competition and make our customers want to stay forever.
Q: How did you get into the insurance industry?
A: I started in 1992 as a receptionist at an independent insurance agency in my hometown of Selma. The rest is history.
Q: How long have your worked for J.R. Prewitt?
A: A little over 4 years.
Q: What’s your favorite part about working for J.R. Prewitt?
A: The Prewitts are genuinely nice, caring people. We have great people here that love what they do, and everyone works together towards a common goal.
Q: Who is your biggest role model?
A: My mother. She was one of the smartest, wittiest and most determined women I have ever known. She taught me not to wait on someone else to make things happen. If you want it, you have to go out and get it!
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: Treat others the way you want to be treated. It has been my lifelong goal.
Q: What are three words that describe you?
A: Determined, happy and feisty (my husband’s words ????).
Q: What’s something most people would be surprised to learn about you?
A: I met and shook hands with President George W. Bush on the lawn of the White House.
Q: Favorite quote?
A: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” -Colin Powell
Q: Favorite travel spot/vacation?
A: I have so many! If I had to pick a favorite it would be Palm Island in the Grenadines. That is where I married my husband.
Q: Favorite spot to hang out in Birmingham? (Restaurant, park, brewery, bar, etc.!)
A: My favorite restaurant in Birmingham is Chuck’s Fish on 280.
Q: Hobbies?
A: Boating – I love the water!
Q: Anything you want to add about family, pets or personal life?
A: My husband, J.J., and I will celebrate our 5th anniversary in July. We have a five-pound miniature dachshund named Lilly (she also loves to ride on the boat). I have one son, Landon, who is 24 and works for Travelers Insurance in Knoxville, TN—yes, I drug him into the business. I have two wonderful step sons and a daughter-in -law, and we just found out that we will be welcoming our first grandchild to the family in November!