Jonathan Clayton's Insurance Consultation

06/12/2026

We hope you, your families, and tenants are safe following the severe storms that recently moved through our area.

If your property sustained damage from wind, hail, fallen trees, water intrusion, or other storm-related causes, we recommend documenting the damage as soon as possible with photos and videos. If emergency repairs are needed to prevent further damage, keep all receipts and records of the work performed.

To begin the claims process, please contact your insurance carrier directly using the claims reporting number below:
• AAA Insurance: 800-672-5246
• Safeco: 800-332-3226
• Nationwide: 800-421-3535
• Openly: 888-808-4842 (Option 2)
• Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance: 800-661-6029
• Universal Property: 800-470-0599
• Lloyd's of London: 866-367-3424

When reporting a claim, be prepared to provide:
-Policy number
-Property address
-Date and time of loss
-Description of damages
-Photos and documentation, if available

If you have questions about your coverage or need assistance navigating the claims process, please email us your claim number, and we will file it to keep track of the claim with you. We are here to help guide you through the process and advocate on your behalf.

FANS and DEHUMIDIFIERS are KEY!

04/09/2026

I am seeing a wide variety of rates across carriers in today's market. I just saved a client over $1700 annually.

📲Call/text today!

03/17/2026

The Midwest has been getting hit—and the insurance market has been responding.

Over the past few weeks alone, we’ve seen tornadoes, 70+ mph winds, and baseball-sized hail move through Illinois and Indiana. These aren’t isolated events anymore—they’re becoming the norm.

Wind & hail now drive a massive portion of property claims, accounting for nearly half of all insured losses nationwide. Carriers are reacting with:
• Higher wind/hail deductibles
• ACV vs. RCV settlements
• Roof age restrictions
• Cosmetic exclusions for "undamaged portion"

If you own real estate in the Midwest, the question isn’t if you’ll be impacted—it’s how well your coverage is structured when it happens.

Now is the time to review your policies before storm season ramps up.

02/12/2026

A competitive quote is easy.

What’s harder — and far more valuable — is structuring an insurance program that:
• Captures every available credit
• Reduces claim frequency
• Uses carrier risk management tools
• Positions you better at renewal

If your insurance strategy hasn’t evolved in the last 12 months, there’s a good chance it’s leaking value.

Small adjustments can make a big impact over time.

02/05/2026

🚨 Real Estate Investors: Emergency Safety Isn’t Optional—It’s Liability Protection

In a multi-family property, things like illuminated exit signs, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors in every unit, and emergency lighting aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re often the difference between a defensible liability claim and a nightmare.

When someone gets hurt, the first question isn’t what happened—it’s was the property reasonably safe?

Claims get ugly fast when:
• Exit signs aren’t visible
• Emergency lighting doesn’t work during a power loss
• Fire extinguishers are missing or expired
• Smoke detectors aren’t present or functioning in each unit

Even if the incident wasn’t your fault, missing basic life-safety features gives plaintiff attorneys leverage and insurance carriers reason to question coverage or settlement value.

Smart investors treat life-safety compliance as part of risk management—not just a code requirement.

If you own or manage multi-family, it’s worth walking your properties with this lens. It’s one of the cheapest ways to protect yourself from the most expensive claims.

01/22/2026

We’re in one of the most litigious business environments we’ve ever seen — and when a claim happens, the outcome often comes down to documentation, not intent.

I often talk about not just having an insurance policy, but developing a complete risk management strategy. Documentation is a great first step:
• Documented safety procedures and training
• Written contracts that clearly define responsibility
• Certificates of insurance that are current and accurate
• Proper additional insured language that actually transfers risk

When a claim hits, carriers and attorneys look for proof. Businesses that can show they followed procedures and transferred risk appropriately are in a much stronger position — both legally and financially.

Insurance works best when coverage and documentation are aligned.

01/16/2026

👀If your business falls into one of the classes shown below, you need to take a look at what The Hartford can offer!

The Hartford is an industry leader in innovative insurance products, competitve premiums, and services/technology offered to it's insureds.

This isn’t for everyone — but if you fit, it’s absolutely worth a conversation.

📩 Message me if your business matches one of these classes and you want to see how it compares to your current program.

12/25/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all of us Raines Insurance Group!

Grateful for the trust and relationships this year. Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing holiday season and a great start to the New Year.

11/27/2025

Today we are Thankful for every day in a wonderful community, with our trusted partners, and dedicated team!

11/24/2025

Small business owners: if you’re not using a telematics program yet, you might be missing out. 🚚📊

Telematics isn’t just for big fleets anymore. Today’s programs give small businesses real, usable insights—things like driver behavior, vehicle health, route efficiency, and safety trends. And the best part? These tools often come built into the insurance programs you already have access to.

By letting your insurance company help you track and improve fleet safety, you can:
✅ Reduce accidents and downtime
✅ Lower fuel and operational costs
✅ Strengthen driver training
✅ Potentially earn better rates over time
✅ Build a culture of safety your customers will notice

Sometimes the smartest move is simply using the resources already available to you.

If you want to get more value from your insurance—not just a policy, but a partner—ask about telematics. Your business (and your bottom line) will thank you. 💡

Learn what telematics is, how it helps fleet managers boost safety, lower costs, and improve driver engagement in 2025.