personal insurance

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Chubb has bestowed its Cornerstone designation on The Prewitt Group. Of the approximately 2,300 personal lines insurance agencies and brokerages that work with Chubb North America Personal Risk Services, fewer than 12 percent have earned the Cornerstone designation.

Chubb is a premier provider of personal insurance and is known for its Masterpiece® products and services designed for the owners of custom and historic homes, luxury automobiles, yachts, fine arts, antiques, other valuable possessions, and excess personal liability.

“It is truly an honor to have earned the Cornerstone designation with Chubb. The Prewitt Group is committed to, and excels in, providing the best available options to our successful clients, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Chubb in the years to come,” said Brian Fleury, The Prewitt Group COO.

As a Cornerstone agency, The Prewitt Group will receive several benefits, enabling it to address clients’ insurance needs faster and more efficiently. The agency’s staff will be able to work with Chubb’s most experienced underwriters and risk consultants. Chubb will assign a claim specialist to the agency. In addition, agency employees will have preferential access to educational Chubb seminars to enhance their client service and agency management skills.

About The Prewitt Group

J.R. Prewitt & Associates was founded in 1974 by John R. Prewitt, Jr. on the basis of offering clients a wide array of risk management services including commercial, personal, life, and health, professional liability, workers compensation and bonds. In 2018, J.R. Prewitt & Associates transitioned to The Prewitt Group, one of the few family-owned agencies in the southeast serving over 4,000 clients and representing over two dozen insurance carriers. The Prewitt Group is committed to understanding the customer’s needs and delivering custom insurance solutions in order to obtain the highest level of client satisfaction. For more information on The Prewitt Group, visit www.prewitt.group.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

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From texting and scrolling through social media to driving while fatigued or under the influence, there are countless distractions that take our minds and eyes away from the road.  Each day in the United States, approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

April is recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which gives us the opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. All of the “it was just a glance” or “it was just one drink” or “I needed to reply” excuses for taking your attention from the road are not worth the risks and consequences of a car accident.

Here are 7 ways to cut distractions from your commute and just drive:

  1. Turn off your phone, put it out of reach, or use the “do not disturb” setting: Taking these measures will help you avoid interruptions from any notifications and the temptation to check your phone. You can also block out driving time on your calendar or set automatic responses to let people know you’ll be driving.
  2. Program your route before you leave: Need directions? Enter the address into your GPS before hitting the road. Be sure to turn the volume on and position the device where you can easily see it without taking your eyes off the road.
  3. Stop using your hands-free device: While using a hands-free device keeps your hands on the wheel, studies show that talking on the phone reduces your field of vision and your ability to process moving imagery. If you need to take or make a call, find a safe place to pull over.
  4. Pullover to eat: Eating and driving can be just as dangerous as texting and driving. Make a pit stop at a rest area or restaurant if you need a bite to eat.
  5. Turn down your music: Keep the stereo volume low enough to be aware of your surroundings. Loud music can cause you to lose focus on the road or miss other potential warning signs of an accident.
  6. Don’t drive fatigued: Driving while fatigued raises your chance of a crash by increasing reaction time and impairing your ability to make quick decisions. Be sure you are well-rested before hitting the road.
  7. Get ready at home: Doing your hair or makeup while driving might save you a few minutes in the morning, but it could cost you your life. Finish getting ready at home or at your workplace.

Join The Prewitt Group as we raise awareness of these distracted driving dangers, make adjustments to your driving routine, and pledge to drive free from distractions today.

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Copy of Life Insurance Awareness Month

One of the added benefits of insuring your home with The Prewitt Group is knowing that your valuable possessions are protected when you’re away. Whether you’re traveling for the holidays to be with friends and family or taking a much-needed vacation to warmer weather, the following tips can help put you at ease and ensure an enjoyable return to your home.

  • Leave faucets dripping if temperatures dip below freezing where you live.
  • Set your thermostat to 65 so you won’t be unnecessarily heating your entire home while you are away.
  • Leave porch lights on to deter potential thieves. If you have access to timed lighting, which can turn on and off to make it seem like someone is home, use this added step to prevent theft during the holidays.
  • For those with a live Christmas tree, make sure it’s properly watered, turn the lights off and unplug them before leaving.
  • As online shopping increases each year, many of your gifts may be delivered during the season. If packages might be delivered to your home while you’re away, many carriers will allow a delayed delivery for your return. You might also have a friend or neighbor bring them inside for safekeeping.
  • Double-checking that all windows and doors are secured is essential. Additionally, for those who have a home security system, setting it before you leave is the last step to making sure you feel comfortable during the holidays away from your home.

Last holiday season, a record-breaking 112.5 million travelers hit the road. That means the risk associated with sharing the roadways increases. The following tips will aid in preparation for your own holiday travels.

  • Keep presents, or anything of great value, hidden away in the trunk or covered.
  • Have your car serviced a few days before traveling to make sure it’s in tip-top shape.
  • Keep in mind that traveling earlier in the day will allow access to service stations, or if necessary, use roadside assistance to provide fixes for troubles you may have without hindering much of your progress.
  • Make sure you have warm blankets and a few snacks in case there are delays due to traffic during your travels, or if a flat tire leaves you waiting in the cold for longer than expected!
  • Always have a phone charger in your car.
  • Lastly, share your itinerary with family so they know when to expect you. Having an alternative route to combat any excess traffic or delays can ensure you arrive before dinner is on the table.

The Prewitt Group extends warm wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

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National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote disaster and emergency planning. It reminds us to be prepared for disasters and emergencies in our homes, businesses and communities. This year’s theme is “Be Prepared, Not Scared.”

We’ve all heard the saying, “Preparation is the key to success,” and it certainly applies to disaster and emergency planning. While we still hope for the best, preparing for the worst can mitigate your expenses and protect your assets.

Be Prepared in 3 Steps:

  1. Create an emergency fund. First and foremost, recovering from a disaster can be financially burdensome. It’s vital to prepare for emergency expenses. Create an emergency fund for your family, home and business so that the money is there when you need it.
  2. Make emergency plans. Inform your family and/or employees of the location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Create a fire evacuation and severe weather plan, and then communicate it clearly to your household and workplace. Planned procedures and processes will keep your family and employees safe.
  3. Purchase proper insurance policies. Having the right insurance policies in place is an integral step in disaster preparation. Meet with an insurance consultant to make sure you have the proper coverage for the disasters and risks your family, home and business face. There are many different types of coverages, which are all subject to limitations and exclusions, so make sure you understand your deductibles, the limits of your insurance and the nature of your coverage.

Since 1974, The Prewitt Group’s mission has been to expertly handle all of your insurance needs whether personal or professional, with the utmost attention to detail and comprehensive protection from anticipated risk. We strive to protect our clients from danger, risk and unpleasant experiences. That’s “The Power to Mitigate Risk.”

We offer various commercial, personal and life and health coverages to fit your unique needs. Contact a risk consultant to review your current coverage or purchase additional policies as a step in your disaster planning process.

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Brian

We are excited to welcome Brian Fleury to the team as a Personal Lines and Small Commercial Distribution Leader! In this role, Brian will lead the personal lines and core business unit teams in strategies for new business development, retention practices and book of business analysis to maximize profitability. To learn more about Brian, check out this Q&A:

Q: How did you get into the insurance industry?

A: I started as an Allstate agent in 2009 and later transitioned to Chubb as a marketing/sales representative in 2012.

Q: Are you seeing any new trends in the industry?

A: An increasing number of insurance agencies are selling to large multi-national brokers and private equity backed firms. These organizations are often focused on large commercial accounts, and typically, don’t show much interest in providing insurance solutions for small businesses and individuals. This creates a fantastic opportunity for a local, independent agency like The Prewitt Group to step in and tailor insurance coverage to this growing segment of the population.

Q: What’s your favorite part of working for The Prewitt Group?

A: It’s absolutely the people that make up the agency. Everyone takes a lot of pride and accountability in their work – it shows great dedication to our clients daily.

Q: Who’s your biggest role model?

A: My dad has always set a tremendous example as a family leader and hard worker. Plus, he is always available as a friend and mentor.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: Always work hard and put forth your best effort, but also remember to work smart. Harder is not always better. Sometimes harder is just harder.

Q: What are three words that describe you?

A: Perseverant. Committed. Analytical.

Q: What’s something most people would be surprised to learn about you?

A: I’m originally from Connecticut and moved to Birmingham in January 2005 to work in minor league baseball for the Barons. It was supposed to be a temporary assignment, but instead I met my now wife a few months into living here and never left.

Q: Favorite quote?

A: “God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.” – Wade Griffith

Q: Favorite travel spot/vacation?

A: New York City

Q: Favorite spot to hangout in Birmingham?

A: Pretty much any golf course in town.

Q: Hobbies?

A: Enjoying time away with my family at Lake Martin, playing golf and other sports activities.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: My wife Courtney and I have been married for 9 years and have two kids, a 3-year-old daughter, Kate, and a 10-month-old son, Jamey.

 

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It’s that time of year again: back-to-school! Are you sending a child off to college? If so, don’t forget to review your insurance coverage before they go back to campus. Remember, your insurance needs change as you and your family members reach certain life milestones. Plus, college is expensive enough without incurring unexpected expenses of an accident uncovered by your current policies.

Health Insurance

Is your child staying on your health insurance policy? If so, he/she is covered until they turn 26. If your child is going to school out of state, check with your insurance company to see how their out-of-state coverage works and ensure that there are in-network providers near the college. If not covered by their parent’s policy, college students have other health care options, such as enrolling in the student health plan offered or purchasing an individual policy.

Car Insurance

Is your child taking a car to campus? Be sure they are covered on your policy or have an individual policy that provides enough coverage. If they are going to college out of state, make sure they at least have the minimum coverage required by that state. Even if your child isn’t taking a car to school, it’s smart for them to remain insured so they are protected when driving a borrowed car.

Homeowners or Renters Insurance

Unfortunately, theft and burglary are very common on college campuses. Whether your child is living in a dorm, apartment or house, you will want to protect their valuables. Students who live on-campus are usually covered by their parent’s homeowners insurance policy as long as they are listed as a dependent on their policy. However, the extent of coverage depends on policy specifics and limitations, so it’s a good idea to check your policy before relying on it.

Students who live off-campus should obtain a renters insurance policy to protect their valuables and their bank accounts in the case of unfortunate situations, such as fire, theft or on-premise injuries. While renters insurance does NOT cover the building itself, it does cover the stuff in your rented house/apartment, like furniture, valuables and cash. A renters insurance policy can also cover liabilities and additional living expenses, if needed. Renters insurance is fairly affordable, but it’s important to understand the coverage and limitations of your policy.

All in all, it’s best to inform your insurance agent that you have a child going to college and discuss the additional coverage he/she needs depending on your current policies.

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Insurance for Every Milestone

“When should I buy life insurance?” “Do I need renters insurance?” “What is disability insurance?” “I’m starting a business. What insurance do I need?”

These are just a few questions that are frequently asked by individuals who are planning for their future and/or entering a new season of life. As your life changes, so should your insurance coverage. While insurance isn’t the most exciting purchase, it is essential for protecting yourself, your loved ones and your wealth.

From buying a car to starting a business, certain life milestones call for reevaluation of your insurance coverage. Some policies are required, while others are strongly recommended. As you reach these common milestones, here are the policies you should consider purchasing:

When you buy a car: Before hitting the road in your new ride, you need personal auto insurance. Many factors impact how much you pay for your premium, including what you drive, your driving history, how often and how far you drive and your credit history, as well as your age, sex and marital status. That being said, your premium may increase or decrease as these factors change throughout your life.

When you start “adulting:” As you enter the workforce and move out from your parents’ home, consider purchasing these policies to protect your livelihood:

  • Health insurance: Children can stay on their parents’ policy until age 26, but once your 26th birthday comes around, you’re required to obtain your own policy.
  • Disability insurance: If you’re relying on your income to live, purchasing disability insurance could be a lifesaver if you become disabled and unable to work for a period.
  • Renters insurance: While it’s not a requirement, renters insurance is something any renter will be glad to have in the case of a fire, leak, or storm.

When you buy a home: If you own a home, homeowner’s insurance is a necessity. Most policies cover the house itself, your belongings and the liability of someone being injured on your property. Depending on the location of your home, you may need to purchase additional coverage, such as flood insurance.

When you get married and start a family: While you can purchase life insurance at any time, the importance of life insurance increases when you get married and/or start a family. In the event of your death, life insurance offers protection for your family and home by replacing your income. Acquiring life insurance at a younger age is smart because you’re not only healthy, but you also pay the same rate over a period of time.

When you start your own business: As soon as you start your business, no matter the size, you should consider getting commercial insurance. The type of coverage you need will vary based on the type of business you open.

At The Prewitt Group, we are committed to understanding your needs for every stage of life and delivering customized services to fit those needs. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss the coverage you need with each life change.

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Cybersecurity While Traveling

Traveling this summer? Whether it is for business or pleasure, traveling makes you a prime target for cybercriminals.

In fact, IBM Security reported that “the transportation industry has become a priority target for cybercriminals as the second-most attacked industry—up from tenth in 2017.” Plus, a new survey revealed that 70 percent of travelers are engaging in high-risk behaviors while on the road. These risky behaviors include connecting to public WiFi, using a public USB station to charge a device, or enabling auto-connect on your devices.

While our mobile devices provide convenience while traveling, they also expose travelers to cyber threats. So, it is up to travelers to be aware and protect themselves from cybercrime. As you travel this summer, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind:

Do:

  • Update your mobile software. Keep your operating system software and apps updated to improve your device’s ability to defend against malware.
  • Back up your information. Back up your contacts, photos, videos and other data with another device or cloud service before traveling.
  • Think before you click. Use caution when downloading or clicking on any unknown links, delete emails that are suspicious or are from unknown sources and review the details of an application before installing.
  • Pack a backup battery: Cybercriminals can hijack public USB connections to download data from your phone or install malware without your knowledge. Bring your own battery bank to recharge your phone when you’re low or use traditional wall plugs instead of USB ports.
  • Protect your mobile device. Because our mobile devices store so much personal information, it’s vital to keep them secured while traveling to prevent theft and unauthorized access or loss of sensitive information.

Don’t:

  • Share your location. Many apps and devices use geotagging and location sharing to broadcast your location publicly. Make sure that these settings are off to prevent criminals from knowing where you are.
  • Trust public Wi-Fi. Many public places, resorts and hotels offer free Wi-Fi networks. These are usually not very secure and can allow cyber criminals access to your Internet-enabled devices. When connecting to free Wi-Fi, avoid doing any online banking or shopping while on a public network.
  • Leave your device unlocked. Locking your device with a strong PIN, password, or fingerprint ID will help keep your data safe.
  • Post your location on social media. Checking in to places that you are visiting, posting updates mentioning your location or sharing photos from your journey compromise your privacy. Be careful about what you share and double check your privacy settings on social media sites to make sure strangers can’t see your posts.

Ultimately, the more we travel, the more cyber risks we face, but you can minimize the risk by following these guidelines.

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By: David Murdock, Life Insurance, Healthcare and Group Benefits Risk Consultant at The Prewitt Group

Clients are often surprised by how simple and quick the process of purchasing life insurance really is. Responses like, “Wow! That was really easy,” or “That didn’t take long!” made me realize that people are often hesitant to purchase life insurance because they assume the process is time consuming and complicated. In reality, the process is straightforward.

The Process

First, complete an application, which takes 15-20 minutes, and then set up a paramedical exam. A paramedical exam is administrated by a paramedical group. They come and visit with you at your home or office to ask you medical questions and take your vitals. The results of the paramedical exam are what underwriters use to determine what type of risk the applicant poses and how they are going to offer a policy to the applicant.

Many people worry that a medical issue, even if it occurred years ago, will prevent them from getting life insurance. That’s almost never the case. It’s important to set those feelings aside and just step into the process.  The value of protecting your loved ones outweighs any hesitations about the process or the outcome.

The Value

Life insurance offers protection for your family and home in the event of your death. In fact, life insurance should be called “income replacement insurance.” Whether you are the single earner in your family or if you and your spouse are earning together, life insurance replaces the cumulative effect of your earnings. The importance of life insurance increases when you get married and/or start a family. It’s smart to acquire life insurance at a younger age, because you’re not only healthy, but you also pay the same rate over a period of time. As you delay the acquisition of coverage, you’re just gambling with the outcome.

The Policies

The most common type of life insurance is term life insurance, which lasts for a “term” of 10, 20 or 30 years.  The purpose of term life insurance is to provide enough face-value, depending on what your situation calls for, to replace your income for a period of time. While there are more complicated types of life insurance, they are more expensive and usually for individuals with extraordinary income who are looking for things to do with their income outside of the common expenses of life.

Getting a Quote

People frequently ask me for a life insurance quote to know how much life insurance is going to cost.  Just like every other agent in the U.S., I use an online quote tool.  I can plug in your age, gender, state of residence, the amount of life insurance you want, etc.  But, choosing a health class is a little trickier. While I can get some of that information from you, a quote is a very generalized idea of what that policy is going to ultimately cost. Instead of “getting a quote,” go through the process. Apply for coverage and when the policy is issued, you can adjust the face value to meet your budget once you’re approved. It’s that simple!

If you’re interested in learning more about life insurance, contact me today!

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Are you ready for summer? While your kids may be on summer break, risks never take a vacation. In fact, summer activities like these often lead to more mishaps.

  • Road trips: During the summer, the roads are more crowded, which makes driving more dangerous. Whether you’re taking a road trip in your personal vehicle or a rental car, be sure your auto insurance policy covers collisions. If your auto policy does not include driving in a rental car, consider purchasing the liability insurance offered at the rental counter.
  • Pool parties: By having a swimming pool, you take the risk of someone getting injured or drowning on your property. If you haven’t already, consider increasing the liability coverage on your homeowners policy to reduce this risk. Also, be sure to take measures to prevent accidents, such as building a fence around the pool and making sure children never swim unattended.
  • Summer storms: Strong summer thunderstorms can wreak havoc on your home and cause water damage. While homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, you can purchase a flood policy to reduce this risk.
  • Boating: Boating-related accidents seem to increase every summer. While small boats like kayaks and canoes are often covered by your homeowners insurance, you usually need a separate policy for large watercrafts and jet skis. The cost can vary depending on your liability coverage, the value of your boat and where it’s kept.
  • Vacation home rental: When you rent out your vacation home, you run the risk of tenants damaging the property. Homeowners insurance may provide coverage for an occasional short-term rental, but if you regularly rent out the property, you may need an additional rider or a commercial landlord or host policy.

Fortunately, you can mitigate these risks by making sure you have the proper insurance policy in place. As summer draws nearer, determine if these risks are relevant to you and contact a representative at The Prewitt Group to be sure you have the coverage you need.