Blog

Training Staff to Guard Against Cyber Attacks

Using mobile devices to work remotely is becoming the new norm. But when your employees use phones, tablets and laptops to access your network and do their jobs, they’re essentially providing hackers with more entry points, leaving your organization highly vulnerable to attacks.No matter how many security measures you take, they’re useless if you don’t supplement them with employee training. Here are five ways to help employees protect your company from cyber attacks:Offer… READ MORE

The Importance of Childhood Fitness

Childhood fitness is an important consideration for parents. If and when children have a poor diet or are not physically active, serious health issues can arise when they become adults. Specifically, children diagnosed by medical professionals as overweight are at risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and asthma as they age.If your child is diagnosed as overweight, consider doing the following:Encourage healthy eating as outlined by a professional. Set… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: Acadia Visit!

Last Wednesday, July 18th, Kelton and I had the privilege of visiting Acadia Insurance Company at their headquarters in Westbrook, Maine. Previously, we had visited both Patrons Oxford and MEMIC; making us eager to see how Acadia would compare. It would prove to be a very eventful and resourceful day, as we had the opportunity to sit with fourteen different members of the Acadia team to learn more about their backgrounds, and what they bring to the company. Each of the individuals we spoke with… READ MORE

25 Most Commonly Stolen Passwords

How clever is your password? If it’s on the list below, your password is just as easily stolen as it is remembered. Protect yourself by making sure you’re not using one of the top 25 most commonly stolen passwords of 2017, as determined by IT security firm SplashData.To create a more secure password, make sure you are not relying only on numbers, and try to avoid simple keyboard patterns. You may also want to avoid easy-to-find information such as birthdays, favorite sports teams… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: Colonial Adjustment Visit!

On Tuesday, July 3rd Hannes, Sarah and I took a trip to Colonial Adjustment to learn more about insurance adjusting. This visit was particularly exciting because it was the first time we were going to visit an adjustment company and we were all interested to learn more about this facet of the industry. When we arrived we met our guide for the day, Karin Francoeur, the Customer Service Manager. After giving us a tour of the office and introducing us to the staff Karin gave us a rundown of our… READ MORE

The Risks of Airbnb and Home Sharing

Just a few years ago, taking a trip involved contacting travel agencies, booking hotel rooms and making plans far in advance. Today, however, smartphones and the internet have helped create new sharing services that allow homeowners to connect with travelers and rent out their homes, spare bedrooms or other accommodations for a fee.Airbnb, the most popular of these sharing services, offers a convenient platform that can provide homeowners with an extra source of income. However, renting through… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: Lunch and Learn, Ian Edwards

Yesterday, June 27th Sarah, Hannes, and I got to sit down with Ian Edwards from Andover Insurance to discuss the insurance industry over lunch. Ian began his path to insurance at Bowdoin College where he studied Economics and Legal Studies. When he graduated he was not quite sure what he wanted to do, and like many others in the industry, he felt as though he fell into insurance as a career. Right out of college, Ian was offered a job at Andover Insurance and has worked there ever since. Over… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: Kelton and Sarah Visit MEMIC!

On Tuesday, June 26th, Kelton and I spent our day in Portland, ME at MEMIC, “Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company.” Our host for the day was Aaron Paiton who is an Associate Underwriter for Chalmers, as well as many other agencies. Aaron was very professional from the second we shook his hand. He welcomed us with open arms and was happy to be taking us under his wing for the day to teach us about workers compensation.We followed him up to the fifth floor where he guided… READ MORE

Healthy Living Tip: Avoid Foods Containing Trans Fat

Did You Know?Trans fat, the worst type of fat for your body, is vegetable fat that has been chemically altered by way of hydrogenation. This process turns healthy fat, such as corn or soy bean oil, into solid, unhealthy fat. The effects of consuming food containing trans fat is linked with increased LDL (“bad cholesterol”) levels, decreased HDL (“good cholesterol”) levels and increased triglyceride levels.To limit trans fat intake, opt for reduced-fat or fat-free… READ MORE

What to do if your car is stolen

If you suspect your vehicle has been stolen, do the following:Call the police. The sooner you notify the proper authorities, the more likely you are to recover your vehicle. You will want to share everything about your car that you can, including its make, model, licence plate number and VIN number.Report the stolen car to your insurer. Once you’ve completed a police report, you should contact your car insurance company. You can often file a report using your insurer’s claims… READ MORE