Life Happens 365 - Are You Managing the Risk?

  By Diane Tait Image courtesy Pixabay Freelancing has never been more popular.   Whether it’s to make some extra income or is a full-time proposition, being a freelancer means never having to deal with the boss looking over your shoulder ever again.   Many stay-at-home moms and dads embrace it for the time flexibility it provides.   Some who have lost their jobs or are now working at home due to COVID-19 enjoy the ability to turn time into money anytime they choose.   With more than 57 million Americans (1/3 of the workforce) currently participating in the Gig Economy, freelancing has never been more popular.     If you currently freelance or are thinking about it, here’s what you need to know from an insurance perspective.

  By Diane Tait Image courtesy Pixabay It’s been more t han a year since COVID-19 changed the way in which we work, shop, and play.   While the vaccine has given those who’ve received it hope of getting back to a lifestyle that approximates the one they had before the virus reared its ugly head, what most people fail to realize is how the Coronavirus will continue to disrupt the economy long after it has faded from view.     Some of these changes not only disrupted our routines, in some cases, they also affected our insurance coverage.  

  By Diane Tait When it comes to car safety, today’s vehicles have come a long way since the predecessors of yesteryear.  Back in the 60s and 70s the only two pieces of safety equipment installed on American vehicles were seatbelts and safety glass.  Fifty years later we have airbag systems that literally surround drivers and passengers with an inflatable shield that helps protect them no matter where the car is struck. With all that going for us, why is it that automobile crashes are still the #1 cause of death to children aged 3-14?  Studies have shown that 20% of children who were in a vehicle that crashed either weren’t buckled up or were improperly buckled up.  Since 43% of those who weren’t properly secured in those same vehicles wound up dying, as a result, I thought I’d take the time to show you what you can do to make sure your children are properly protected when you take them for a drive.

By Diane Tait For most Americans, having access to a car is almost a necessity.   Without it, many of us would be hard-pressed to make a living. Whether you own or lease a vehicle, one of the requirements is that you carry auto insurance. That’s why it pains drivers when they’re dropped by their insurance companies.   While many drivers consider it a slap in the face if they’re denied coverage, what they don’t realize is that insurance companies can be on the hook for much more than the premiums should a policyholder get in an accident.   If you’re ever denied coverage, there are a few things you need to know.