If you lost all of your possessions today, would you be able to list each item and its value from just your memory.

That’s the value of a home inventory. Making a detailed list of what you own ensures nothing will be omitted if you have to recall your home contents after a loss by fire, flood or other circumstance.

Start by assembling the tools for documenting what you own and by figuring out how you will store the inventory list. The way you document what you own dictates how you’ll store the information.

If you document with a notebook and with a traditional camera, you’ll need to store the inventory in a physical location like a safety deposit box, with a lawyer or with a trusted family member or friend.

Consider making three copies of the inventory: one to keep at home; and one each for two trusted sources, like a close relative and a trusted financial professional. This increases the chances that at least one record will be easily accessible when you need it. Make paper copies of documents such as warranties and receipts.

If you document your belongings digitally, you’ll want to make digital duplicates, with the option of storing the files in the cloud in case something happens to your hard drive.

• Use a digital camera to take photos.
• Scan documents.
• Save the document on several separate flash drives for offsite storage.
• Set up an online account, such as Google Drive, to store your home inventory data. Be sure to document your password and how to access your account.

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There’s no denying motorcycle road trips can be a fun-filled adventure. But for motorcyclists, road tripping is not as simple as gassing up the car and heading off to your destination. There’s also a big difference between motorcycling along a local highway on a Sunday afternoon and traversing hundreds of miles on a cross-state journey.

First-time road trips on a motorcycle can be an initiation into new rigors. In a poll of American Motorcyclist Association staff members, some respondents said learning the best ways to approach a long tour can take years of trial and error. AMA staffers offer a range of insider tips, such as “carry a backpack hydration system so you can drink while you ride” and “a nap can do wonders on a long day.”

Without the luxury of space, packing what you need for a trip on your bike can be even more challenging. We compiled a list of motorcycle trip planning essentials from experienced riders and the Harley Davidson website.

So, before you head on down the highway, here are 26 things you should consider:

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Keller Stonebraker Insurance is pleased to introduce Katherine Hairsine as the newest Commercial Lines Account Executive.  Katherine is a 2017 graduate of Salisbury University with a double major in Marketing and International Business. She spent her junior year studying social media marketing in Southern France and is the former Digital Marketing Manager of the Pohanka Automotive Group located on the Eastern Shore. Katherine is currently studying for her MBA and is excited for all the sales and learning opportunities Keller Stonebraker has to offer.

Employers committed to safety are continuing to follow best practices for maintaining a drug-free workplace, despite recent changes in employee drug testing laws.

THE DILEMMA

Surveys show drug abuse in the U.S. population has expanded in recent years, and it’s not something that impacts people only on their own time. National Institute on Drug Abuse statistics show that 70% of current adult illegal drug users are employed full time.

Some employers are dropping or softening their drug testing requirements because they can’t find qualified candidates who can pass a drug test. But studies also suggest that this practice likely will result in higher workplace injury rates.

What can employers do?

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Each year millions of pets accompany their families on vacation, and with summer approaching, Nationwide reminds pet lovers that the key to safe travels for our furry family members is preparation.

As the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance, Nationwide analyzed its database of more than 750,000 insured pets to determine the most common travel-related medical conditions. Last year, Nationwide members spent more than $36 million to treat these common injuries and illnesses that affect both dogs and cats.

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Corporate executives are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals because of their access to data and ability to engage in social engineering, according to the 2019 Verizon Data Breach Report published last week.

The report was based on the analysis of 41,686 security incidents in 2018. It noted 2,013 of those reports were confirmed data breaches. The analysis shows executives were compromised in 20% of data breach incidents studied in 2018.

It seems 71% of data breaches were financially motivated, according to the report, and the median amount stolen in a business email compromise scam was $24,439. Edward McAndrew, a partner at DLA Piper in Washington, D.C., said criminals are finding it more lucrative to scam executives and get money through business email compromise scams.

“There has also been a shift from stealing information in order to sell it and weaponizing accounts and systems to commit financial fraud,” McAndrew said.

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A Property Owner or Developer hiring a General Contractor to renovate or build on their behalf should be aware of two potential risk transfer issues: Contractual Risk Transfer and Insurance Coverage. Check out our Contractor’s Guide for more information on steps to take to protect yourself.

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Lightning damage can be devastating, costing the insurance industry billions of dollars each year while causing deadly fires and destructive power surges in the blink of an eye. Every home and business should be prepared before it strikes. Learn more about the Hazards associated with lightning and ways to prevent loss in this Infographic.

Risky-Business-Lightning 

Did you know that statistically a burglary occurs in the United States every 14.4 seconds? (At least according to the FBI.) As a season full of holiday-related travel approaches, are you doing what you can to adequately secure your home while you’re gone?

According to data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, burglaries accounted for an estimated $4.8 billion in lost property in 2011, with an average individual loss of $2,185. The affects go beyond money. As a person who’s been the victim of a burglary, there’s an accompanying feeling of violation that takes some time to shake.

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