Advance Planning Insurance

06/19/2026

Happy Father’s Day to the dads, stepdads, grandfathers, and father-figures who show up every single day. To all the dads on our team, in our community, and among our clients: thank you for everything you do, seen and unseen.

06/17/2026

Traveling to Europe may look a little different this summer.

The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System is now in place for many non-EU travelers, including Americans visiting participating Schengen Area countries.

The system replaces passport stamps with a digital process that records entry and exit information. Travelers may be asked to provide passport details, fingerprints, and a facial scan when arriving.

The rules for how long visitors can stay have not changed, but the process at some airports may take longer as travelers and border officials adjust to the new system.

Larger airports and major travel hubs may experience longer wait times, especially during peak travel periods.

For anyone heading to Europe, a little extra time at the airport could help make the arrival process smoother.


Source:

Travel experts say to be prepared for potential disruptions as countries implement the new Entry/Exit System now in place across the EU and other countries.

06/15/2026

📞 The Three Phone Calls Every Business Owner Hopes Not to Make 😬

Running a business means making lots of calls. Customers, vendors, employees, that one supplier who never picks up on the first try. 🙃

But there are three calls every business owner secretly hopes they never have to make. We've been on the receiving end of all of them, and here's what we've learned:

📱 Call #1: "Something happened at the shop." Fire, break-in, water damage. Once everyone is safe and the space is secure, call us. We'll help you figure out the next steps. 🔥

📱 Call #2: "An employee got hurt." It's stressful for everyone, especially the injured person. Deal with the emergency, then talk to us. We'll walk you through how your coverage can help. 🏥

📱 Call #3: "We just got served." A lawsuit notice in the mailbox is one of the worst feelings in business. We can help you figure out what is covered or not under your policy for legal issues. ⚖️

These calls are awful. But they're also exactly why we do what we do. You don't have to figure it out alone, and you definitely don't have to figure it out fast. 🤝

06/11/2026

☀️ Beat the Heat 🚗

Summer is here, and while we're all looking forward to road trips, beach days, and weekend getaways, the season's heat can be tough on your vehicle. Hot pavement, soaring temperatures, and longer drives put extra strain on parts that worked just fine all winter. A little preventive care now can save you from a breakdown on the side of a sweltering highway later.

Not sure where to start? A few quick checks:

🚗 Under Pressure: Heat makes the air in your tires expand, while underinflated tires generate extra heat from flexing. Either extreme can lead to a blowout on hot pavement. Check pressure monthly when tires are cold, and don't forget the spare.

🌡️ Keep It Cool: Your cooling system is the first line of defense against an overheated engine. Top off your coolant, check the reservoir, and if the temperature gauge starts climbing into the red, pull over and let it cool down before driving on.

🔋 High Temp, Low Energy: Most folks blame winter, but summer heat is actually harder on batteries. High temperatures speed up corrosion and cause fluid to evaporate inside. If yours is more than three years old, get it tested before it leaves you stranded in a hot parking lot.

A few minutes under the hood now can mean the difference between a smooth summer and an unexpected tow. Here's to a safe and sunny season ahead. 🌞

06/10/2026

Restoring the Great Wall of China is a careful process, and in some places, it is happening one brick at a time.

The Great Wall stretches roughly 13,000 miles, but it is not one continuous structure. Instead, it is composed of many sections built over several dynasties over about 2,000 years.

One restoration effort focuses on the Jiankou section, a steep, rugged section of the wall north of Beijing. The work requires traditional masonry skills, local knowledge, and a deep respect for preserving the structure’s historic character.

For Cheng Yongmao, known as Old Cheng, the work has become a life’s calling. After decades as a bricklayer and restoration specialist, he now helps guide efforts to protect and repair parts of the wall for future generations.

The project is a reminder that preserving history often depends on patience, craftsmanship, and the people willing to protect what came before.


Source:

NBC News visits the monumental 13,000-mile fortifications, which are not, in fact, one contiguous structure but many segments built over several dynasties spanning about 2,000 years.

06/09/2026

📖 A Quick Story About Why We Ask So Many Questions ❓

When you sit down with us to talk about business insurance, the questions can feel overwhelming. What do you do, who do you do it for, where do you do it, how often, with whom, using what equipment? What is this, an interrogation? 😅

But there's a reason for that. Let’s look at a hypothetical situation.

A bakery owner comes in to get a quote. Sweets shop, busy neighborhood, two employees, the works. 🧁

On paper, it’s simple. But during the conversation, almost as an afterthought, she mentions that they also cater weddings on weekends. Off-site. Sometimes out of state. 💒

That one detail changes everything:

🚐 Her vehicle is being used for business, not just personal use.
🏛️ She is working at venues that may require additional insured status.
👩‍🍳 Her liability exposure may look very different from a shop owner's.

None of that is on the original application. It came up in conversation. 💬

That's why we ask. Not because we love forms. Because the thing that might matter most for your coverage can be the thing you almost didn't think to mention. 🎯

What's something about your business that surprises people when they hear it? Drop it in the comments. We love this stuff. 👇

06/08/2026

Running a business takes a lot—double‑checking your insurance shouldn’t. Message me for a quick small business coverage review so you can stay focused on what you do best.

06/01/2026

June is full of weddings, new traditions, and big life changes. When your relationship status changes, it’s a great time to make sure your coverage still fits your plans. Message me for a quick review so your protection can grow with you.

05/26/2026

🏗️ Under-Insuring Doesn’t Pay 📋

Many commercial properties are under-insured for their true rebuild value. If your building is one of them, your policy may pay out less than you expect, even for a partial loss. 😬

Building material costs are typically higher than they were just a few years ago. If your property limit hasn't been updated recently, you're likely insured for yesterday's prices on today's building. 📈

And here's the clause that makes it worse:

Most commercial property policies include a Co-insurance Clause. It requires you to insure your building to a high level, typically at least 80–90% of its actual replacement value. Fall below that threshold, and the insurer can legally reduce your payout accordingly, even on a claim that has nothing to do with the full building. 💸

The fix? Get a current property valuation. It takes about two minutes with us. ⏱️

DM us your current commercial property limit, and we'll flag whether you're likely in the gap. 📩