Blog | Banas Insurance

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Injury Prevention for Desk Workers

July 19, 2019/in Business Insurance, Risk Management, Safety /by Banas & Fickert

You’ve no doubt heard someone say “Sitting is the new smoking.” Numerous studies have shown the detriments of a sedentary lifestyle: increased risk for back problems, osteoporosis, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer, even double of the risk of premature death. Though office work won’t be found on any top 10 lists of most dangerous jobs, the negative impacts of too much sitting are detrimental to both employees and employers—the cost of absenteeism and extra health care due to the workers’ sedentary-related health problems runs into the billions each year. But sitting too much isn’t the only cause of poor health in office workers.

The Danger of Home Heating Oil Leaks

June 4, 2019/in Homeowners Insurance, Risk Management /by Banas & Fickert

Do you heat with oil? Are you still using a black steel tank to store that oil? A leaking heating oil storage tank is not an issue to be taken lightly. The results could be catastrophic for you and your family.

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What Is Insurance Bundling?

May 7, 2019/in Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance /by Banas & Fickert

Getting a good deal on your homeowners and auto insurance premiums—while carefully ensuring the proper coverage for your most precious assets—is every consumer’s goal. These types of insurance policies protect some of the most important possessions in our lives, so deciding to be sufficiently covered and yet save money is a worthy task. One of the most common ways to reduce the costs of insurance is through bundling. While doing this, it is also a great time to review if changing your deductible will make sense for you as well to help reduce your premiums.

Best Practices for Cyber Security

March 28, 2019/in Business Insurance, Risk Management, Safety /by Banas & Fickert

The saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And while a carefully crafted Cyber Liability policy can protect you from significant financial loss in the event of a cyber attack or data breach, it’s best to protect your company proactively through cyber security protocols. In fact, some insurance providers may insist that you have security measures in place before they will underwrite a policy for your business.

Construction worker operating a drone over a work site

Drone Accidents Happen – Make Sure You’re Covered

February 21, 2019/in Business Insurance, Risk Management, Safety /by Banas & Fickert

With over 100,000 registered commercial drone operators in the US, it’s not surprising that the use of drones has transformed many industries. Houses with aerial photographs sell 68% faster than ones without. Drone usage on construction sites has increased safety by 55%. Because drones can cover large areas quickly and provide access to locations otherwise not easily reached, they’re increasingly being deployed for tasks like agricultural inspections and search-and-rescue missions. Drones have impacted everything from humanitarian aid and weather forecasting to wedding videography and food delivery.

Winter 2019 Insurance News

February 13, 2019/in Auto Insurance, Business Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Insurance News, Risk Management, Safety /by Banas & Fickert

10 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes & Avoid Costly Insurance Claims

Frozen water pipes and the damage they cause are a reality for thousands of people each year. And unfortunately, a burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in water damage, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing.

Happy Fall But Beware of these seasonal liabilities that homeowners face

November 1, 2018/in Homeowners Insurance, Risk Management, Safety /by Banas & Fickert

Every season comes with an exceptional climate pattern, but most fascinatingly, some have effects that touch people’s property and, in most cases, the effects turn out negative for individuals who do not take precaution and prepare for seasonal liabilities. Fall presents its own liability risks; however, prevention of this risks goes a long way in minimizing damages and insurance claims that may follow. Let us take a glance at some of the risk’s homeowners face.

Understanding Hurricane Insurance (Wind & Flood Damage Coverage)

October 15, 2018/in Homeowners Insurance, News /by Banas & Fickert

Hurricane season is upon us, and already we’ve seen massive storms cause damage along the coastlines. For homeowners, the joys of living near the beach or the convenience of a nearby ocean are suddenly overshadowed by the risk of major loss, and their attention is turned to their insurance, or lack of it, during these tragic times. Many homeowners don’t fully understand their coverage, and they face sudden stark truths when attempting to file a claim. Insurance to cover the damage inflicted by a hurricane is rather complicated, and it is actually a bundle of several components.

Child passenger safety: What your family needs to know

September 25, 2018/in Safety /by Banas & Fickert

When it comes to child safety in an automobile, it’s all about the car seat. Proper car seat selection and use are crucial to the safety and well-being of your children when they are riding in a vehicle. Read more

12 Ways to Protect Your Home or Business from Flooding

September 20, 2018/in Business Insurance, Homeowners Insurance /by Banas & Fickert

Floodwaters are among the most damaging natural tragedies to come upon a property. They are relentless, unyielding and brutal. The only real defense against them is to be prepared so that you can hopefully avoid some of the damage they can bring. Here are 12 ways to protect your home or business against a flood.

Downspouts. Be sure your structure has gutters and downspouts properly installed all the way around it. The downspouts should be routed far enough away from the building to give the water an external path for runoff.
Gutters. Check your roof for any debris and make sure the gutters are clean so the rainwater can flow away freely.
Runoff. Verify that any external drains or channels designed to route water away from the building are not blocked or impaired.
Drains. Check any city storm drains near your location to verify they are not covered, and remove any blockage so the floodwaters can flow away.
Foundation. Inspect your foundation for any cracks or shifts that might allow water to pass inside. Have any problems repaired, and consider adding extra levels of waterproofing to help repel floodwaters as they arrive.
Landscaping. If flooding is an ongoing possibility for your location, you may want to consider adding some retaining walls or other landscaping designed to protect against rising waters.
Sump Pump. Check your sump pump and drains to verify they are free and clear to remove water before it rises in the home.
Backflow Valve. Have a backflow valve installed on your main sewer system. This keeps raw sewage from entering your home as floodwaters rise.
Protect. Store your valuables safely above any flood lines for protection.
Elevate. Elevate your expensive appliances and heating/cooling systems to keep them above the potential flood line. Also, consider having your electrical wiring and outlets raised to a safe level.
Water Sensors. Electronic water sensors can alert you if there is a problem, allowing you to check your property and get valuables moved to safety.
Plan Ahead. Have a plan in place for how to deal with an incident. Imagine floodwaters approaching your facility, and think of what you’d like to have ready at that time. Go through the motions of dealing with an issue, so you’ll be rehearsed and ready for a sudden surprise in the future.