Read This Before You Vacay: Don’t Make Your Home and Possessions a Target

July 17, 2018 By Doris Sova

Do your vacation plans include making your home the worst on the block (for thieves)? If not, update that timeline to make anti-theft measures the first stop on your travel itinerary. After all, there’s nothing like returning from an epic adventure to discover that home sweet home is exactly as you’ve left it. Here’s how to keep your home and possessions protected while you’re gone.

Cool it with the social media posts – All those gorgeous pictures can wait until your return. A good tactic to quell this urge is to make albums on devices as you go – and then release them to the world with great fanfare upon your return.
Leave old-school GPS devices behind – Should someone steal your vehicle at the airport, it’s likely they’ve hit a double win. Your address is almost definitely listed in that little computer, and it’s obvious that you are not home to stop an invasion.
Secure that boat – Boat owners, repeat the following mantra: thou shall not leave keys in the vessel. If you do choose to install an alarm, give it a try before you leave – and update your contact list should it go off. You likely won’t be able to address the situation wherever your adventure is taking you. Whether the boat is on a lift or not, make it as difficult as possible for a thief to move. Robbers don’t like to stick around; they enjoy an easy target. Make it close to impossible for them to take your possessions.
Stop the mail (and more) – You have kind neighbors who will pick up unread papers and mail for you? That’s great! Still, if you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, do them a favor and just place a hold on it. Elect a designated ‘house checker’ who removes those pesky door hanger advertisements for pizza and sea wall construction. A buildup of these is a likely sign of home vacancy. If your pet isn’t a fan of dog boarding chaos, consider hiring a sitter who watches after Fido and your home. It’s not cheap, but you’ll have total peace of mind.
Consider the small details – Lights on 24/7 means you are either always having a party – or, more likely, that no one is home. The same holds true for a dormant air conditioner. Put your thermostat on a timer and give the appearance that home occupants are indeed enjoying cold air. Thieves won’t know that the cold air you’re enjoying is blowing through the fjords of Norway, which you’re exploring with your clan for two weeks.
Understand your homeowners insurance and update if needed – Are your contents covered? What about your flood policy? Ensure the highest protection possible by contacting your W3 Insurance agent. For boat-related questions, the W3 marine insurance advisors are a great resource.

With a bit of preparation, your vacation can end on a positive note. Bon voyage!

Wallace Welch & Willingham Affiliates with Unbehagen Insurance, Inc.

July 12, 2018 By Amy Hammond

Agency affiliation widens scope, increases client service opportunities

President/CEO Todd Unbehagen of Unbehagen Advisors, Inc. and W3 COO Jon Hammond

St. Petersburg, FL – Unbehagen Insurance, Inc. now has the power of 100+ years of insurance excellence behind it. Unbehagen Insurance, Inc. joined Wallace Welch & Willingham (W3) effective June 2018.

The W3 affiliation brings with it the value of a successful large insurance agency, including access to multiple insurance disciplines and excellent service. W3’s longstanding success in the insurance realm translates to more experienced professionals and markets for Unbehagen Insurance clients.

This affiliation is a natural one, says Jonathan Hammond, W3’s chief operating officer. The two entities share the same passion for customer-centric service, and both have Florida roots: W3 Insurance has called St. Petersburg its home base since 1925, and Unbehagen Insurance, Inc. operates four Florida offices; its insurance division has been active for nearly a decade.

“Our agencies complement each other. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Unbehagen Insurance, Inc. and W3 working together as a team.”

Jon Hammond, COO

Founded in 1925, Wallace Welch & Willingham (W3 Insurance) is an independent insurance agency with a rich history of providing quality service and unwavering commitment to its clients and community. The agency represents an extensive list of “A rated” insurance companies in order to provide the best coverage at the most affordable rates available. W3 Insurance offers insurance products to fit the specific needs of both businesses and individuals, offering commercial, homeowners, auto, boat and life insurance as well as employee benefits coverage. The company is named one of Tampa Bay’s Top Workplaces by the Tampa Bay Times. For more information, call (727) 522-7777 or visit www.w3ins.com.

Learn more about Unbehagen Advisors and their comprehensive services by visiting www.unbehagenadvisors.com.

Should You Purchase Travel Insurance?

June 21, 2018 By W3 Insurance

Whether you’re heading to the Australian Outback to backpack in the bush or planning a romantic Parisian schedule of croissants and leisure, consider purchasing travel insurance. At the very least, you’ll learn more about your current policies and what they include – and you may discover that electing travel insurance is extremely necessary. Here’s how to decide:

Don’t “double dip” – If you’re already covered through an existing policy for calamities that can occur during travel, electing travel insurance is like adding a raincoat to your existing one; it’s not vital. However, it often takes only a quick investigation to spot holes in protection. Your medical provider might offer some in-network options overseas, yes – but they may not cover emergency medivacs, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Your credit card may reimburse for medical and baggage events – or perhaps not at all.
Don’t assume your current medical insurance is going to be enough – For those headed abroad, it’s often necessary to pre-pay for treatment. This can amount to thousands of dollars. Please note that those who are covered under Medicare almost definitely need travel coverage: Medicare does not usually cover overseas treatment.
Examine the intricacy of the trip – How might a flight delay affect the rest of your itinerary? If the answer is extremely, travel insurance is a must. Imagine for a moment that one plane flight is delayed throughout your journey – and this affects not just the time you spend in an airport, but the tour you’ve planned for the next day and the premium event you pre-booked. The right travel insurance can’t give you back those experiences – but it can reimburse you for the loss of them.
Partner with an insurance advisor who can tailor-make the plan for you – Wade through policy language if you’d like – or simply call your trusted insurance advisor with specific questions. They should be able to address the tough concerns and will save you time that you can spend packing for your upcoming adventure. This leads us to an obvious consideration that is nonetheless often overlooked:
Purchase the right type of travel insurance – Just selecting a policy blindly and hoping it covers any unforeseen travel impediments is not advisable. For example, there are plenty of cruise insurance products available to consumers, but not all of them are worth the price – or really cover all that much. With travel policies (as with existing policies) read the fine print.
Consider a yearlong policy if you travel frequently – Sure, you can insure trip-by-trip. Those who rarely travel distances further than 100 miles may find the best value with such policies. If you frequently travel for business or pleasure, a product like Chubb’s innovative Passport 360 may make more sense. Passport 360 offers customization (after all, your needs for that rustic Australian Outback trip differ from the Parisian one) but it consistently covers every single trip taken throughout that year. For those who always seem to be jetting from one locale to another, this is a huge benefit.

The advisors at W3 insurance pride themselves on selecting the right travel insurance for each client. Call 800.783.5085 today and ask about travel insurance! Travel safe and travel well: W3 makes sure you travel with peace of mind.

Employers: Lead the Charge Against Skin Cancer

May 22, 2018 By Trish Blocker

Skin cancer is prevalent, and it is almost always preventable. May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and with the summer’s sunny months nearly upon us, it’s an ideal time to remind employers that they can help to decrease the current statistic: more than four million cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year in the United States.

Though the number of people who suffer from skin cancer is staggering (The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 91,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2018, with 10% of sufferers not expected to survive) some simple life changes offer strong prevention.

The Centers for Disease Control describe melanoma as the most prevalent form of cancer – but up to 90% of cases are caused by overexposure to the sun’s damaging rays. Below are some examples of workplace initiatives that employers can use to educate employees about prevention and detection.

Host an on-site skin cancer screening event. Invite a local dermatologist who participates in your company’s medical insurance plan to attend.
Raise awareness with posters, flyers, and educational materials. Find these through your medical carrier, a local dermatologist office, American Academy of Dermatology website, American Cancer Society website, and the CDC
Increase sun protection for your employees who work outdoors. Provide sunscreen, protective SPF clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Schedule breaks in the shade and create work schedules that reduce UV exposure.
Make skin cancer prevention a healthy competition. Challenge employees to apply sunscreen once a day and to wear hats and UV protectant sunglasses. Award a point for each day they participate; at the end of the month, enter those who completed the challenge into a raffle and award the winner a prize.
Another challenge idea is to offer points to each employee who goes to a participating dermatologist for a skin screening. This campaign promotes annual care visits and helps employees establish a relationship with a dermatologist. To further incentivize, consider offering employees 2 hours of paid time off for their appointment.
Share success stories of employees that detected their skin cancer early through screenings and had positive results.

If you would like assistance with planning or implementing a Skin Cancer Awareness Program for your employees, feel free to contact me at tblocker@w3ins.com.

*www.cancer.org
*www.skincancer.org

Flood Insurance on the Eve of Hurricane Season: We’ve Got You Covered.

April 25, 2018 By W3 Insurance

We’ll say a reluctant “hello” to hurricane season June 1. Are you ready? Cross an item off your “Hurricane Preparation To Do” list by calling Wallace Welch and Willingham for advice. We offer multiple types of Private Flood and NFIP policies. Which one is right for you – and do you really need flood insurance? Let’s talk.

What is a flood, exactly?

Generally, insurance carriers define flooding as a “rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land.” For insurance purposes, the word “rising” in this definition is the key to distinguishing flood damage from water damage.

How are Flood Zones determined?

Developing a flood map is a complicated process done by the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) under the strict supervision of the Federal government. The development of flood maps is crucial for communities to plan infrastructure and to prepare for the worst-case scenario Mother Nature may bring.

Who is at risk for a flood?

Everyone! Don’t think you are only at risk for a flood if you are located within a flood zone. More than 20% of flood claims come from homeowners living in low to moderate flood zones. Flood is one of the most common natural disasters, and Florida homes are frequently at or below sea level. No one is truly exempt from the possibly extensive damage a flood may cause.