The zipper has done us well in its seventy years of service but it has also caused some of our most embarrassing moments. What is worse than being told that your fly is down after an important business meeting? What about being caught with too little business insurance in the face of an emergency? I would rather be red in the face because my pants zipper was down than find out that I hadn’t done the research for a proper business insurance policy.

Commercial insurance in CT can cover unexpected losses but only if you have the right CT business insurance policy. Are you covered for errors and omissions, general liability, and commercial auto? If not, it may be time to talk to your local CT insurance agent to make sure you know the coverage you receive from your current business insurance policy and ask about any additional coverage that may be beneficial to your business.

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• Choose an air conditioning unit which is the proper size & energy for the area.
• Check the electrical circuit to be sure it cane supply the necessary energy.
• Never alter a plug to fit it into an outlet. Instead, have a qualified electrician replace the outlet.
• Be sure your cord will reach a wall outlet.
• Ensure you have the right cord for an air conditioner if you need an extension cord and always inspect extension cords before you use them.
• Look for the UL Mark on the extension cord, which means that representative samples of the cord have been tested for safety hazards.
• Ensure the plug’s blade and grounding pin are present.
• Don’t run the cord under a carpet.

On those days that are especially hot, keep these cooling tips in mind!

• Clean and inspect your air conditioner.
• Start units early and cool areas throughout the day.
• Pull shades to block the sun.
• Turn off all unnecessary lights.
• Wait until late evening to use dishwashers & clothes dryers.
• Close off unused rooms.
• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated.
• Using floor or ceiling fans to circulate cooled air.
• When you’re selecting fans and air conditioners, look for the UL Mark.

Be sure to have a reliable Connecticut Homeowner’s Insurance policy in place as we enter the summer months. You never know what kind of damage you may experience from thunder & lightning storms, not to mention other unexpected happenings. Connecticut insurance agents at Encharter Insurance can help you choose a policy and coverage that makes sense for your lifestyle and your home. In addition, Encharter’s agents will shop around for you! With new offices opening up in the state, there’s sure to be an agent near you!

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We’ve all seen the lists of the best cities to raise families, or the best cities with the best well-being.  Have you ever wondered which U.S. cities have the wealthiest people? There are certain places that attract the wealthy, whether it is because of its’ resources, location, or the businesses that thrive in that area. Some of these places surprised me, and others I knew would be at the top. Take a look at some of the most high-net-worth cities in the United States:

• Seattle: The founder of Amazon, chairman of Starbucks, and Bill Gates all call this Pacific Northwest city home.
• Boston: Among some of the millionaires that live in Boston are the co-founders of Boston Scientific, and the founder of the Market Basket supermarket chain.
• Atlanta: Did you know Atlanta is home of the world’s largest airline hub? It also has several major corporations based out of their including Coca-Cola, and Home Depot so it’s no surprise it also has its’ fair share of wealthy people.
• Dallas: Number 7 on the list for home bases for the ultra-wealthy is also home to AT&T, Dean Foods, and Southwest Airlines.
• Houston: The oil and gas industries play a huge role in the amount of wealth living in Houston. Some examples of those companies are: ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil, and Halliburton.
• San Francisco: It may be the social media billionaire capital of the U.S. , both the founders of Google and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg live in San Francisco.
• Los Angeles:  L.A. obviously has its fair share of entertainment moguls with actors and directors, including Steven Spielberg, but did you know that it is also a shipping hub?
• New York: It’s the nation’s most populous city, so it makes sense it would also be home to the ultra-rich of the United States population. About 13% of the ultra-high-net-worth population resides in New York, made mostly of real estate and Wall Street professionals.

If you happen to be passing through any of these cities, keep your eye out for mansions and extravagant cars. If you’re like me, and you’ve yet to make your first billion, you may not be a member of the highest-net-worth population, but you do have your share of valuables. When it comes to protecting your home, and your possessions inside your home, make sure you have CT Homeowners Insurance. You never know what could happen, which is why it’s a great idea to talk with an Encharter Insurance agent today about a CT home insurance policy to fit your needs.

Photo Credit: Dimple Face

On a positive note, the open waters are no longer frozen (not that many of them froze to begin with during this mild winter) and it’s almost time to lose sight of the shore and lounge out on the boat with your cooler, fishing rod and perhaps a beach blanket. Although we can’t protect you from brain freeze from your ice cold beverages, we can protect you and your boat from harm. Talk to a Connecticut insurance agent about the coverage provided by Connecticut Boat Insurance. Agents at Encharter Insurance can talk to you about appropriate limits for liability, medical payments and physical damage. Get it out of the way now so that when the warm weather is here to stay, your worries can sail away just like you!

Photo: Aubryknight

I have never met a cheese that I haven’t liked, however there are only certain cheeses that are worthy of a proper grilled cheese. How do you know which cheese will satisfy your grilled cheese craving? Just consult the meltability index!

Excellent melters:

Brie is smooth, silky, soft and mild, it goes perfectly with ham and pear slices.

Havarti will melt into bread as easily as butter. Feel free to add avocado and tomato slices or turkey breast and cranberry sauce for added taste.

American is the classic cheese that will make you feel at home, and remind you just how comforting a grilled cheese can be.

Very good melters:

Cheddar is another classic favorite. Consider adding thin apple slices or honey mustard for a unique kick.

Provolone may be a semi-hard cheese but it melts easily and tastes great with tomatoes, bacon or spinach.

Gruyere isn’t ideal for sandwich making, but when it comes to grilled cheese it melts smoothly and tastes great with caramelized onions.

Good melters:

Swiss gives any sandwich a buttery twang.  Basil and tomato will compliment the flavor perfectly, if you’re looking for something to add.

Bread and cheese only get more valuable when heated over a fire, but homes and apartments don’t fare as well in the fiery heat. In order to protect yourself from disaster contact your local CT Encharter insurance agent about dwelling fire insurance.  Dwelling fire insurance is the best way, as a landlord, to protect yourself and your property in case of a fire emergency.

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• Trip cancellation, interruption or delay
• Medical insurance and medical evacuation
• 24-hour assistance

You may also have protection for accidental death or luggage insurance or personal effects coverage. Costs vary based on the coverage you choose for your trip. Travelers should be aware that a CT travel insurance policy from an insurance company is different from those offered by travel sites and cruise operators. Policies that are an extra $40 to $60 which are offered when booking your trip come with restrictions and are not regulated by state insurance departments. If you decide you want CT travel insurance, you should talk to your Connecticut insurance agent about your best options. Policies vary by company, coverage, benefits and price. Your CT health insurance and Connecticut homeowner’s insurance may offer some protection, or may not provide any protection whatsoever. An expert agent at Encharter Insurance would help you decipher what you need.

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• Broadcaster
• Butcher
• Dishwasher
• Meter Reader
• Waiter/ Waitress
• Newspaper Reporter
• Oil Rig Worker
• Enlisted Military Soldier
• Dairy Farmer
• Lumberjack

Did any of the jobs on the list surprise you? I know that I wouldn’t have put broadcaster on the list, the hours might not be great, but I guess the pay isn’t great either! While waitressing can be rough, I also thought if you work at the right restaurant it could be a good way of making money. I guess I’d have to work a day in these jobs before disagreeing with the list.
Where would you put a business owner on a scale of a job being worthy of this kind of list to loving your job? Most business owners would probably tell you that it depends on the day. Some days being your own boss can be great, others the hard work and time outweighs that. Business owners are always looking for ways to simplify their life and secure their business. That’s why having CT Commercial Insurance is a must for any business, talk with an Encharter Insurance agent today about coverage options. They can help you figure out what insurance policies are required and which ones you need to appropriately protect you and your business from loss.
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Although rising prices may not be in your control, your savings on your Connecticut Auto Insurance can be! Agents at Encharter Insurance get you the protection you need for a price that you can afford! Although you should always put protection first, Connecticut insurance agents shop around for you to get you a wallet-friendly price. Did you know that you can receive discounts for multiple policies, or for having certain security systems in your vehicle? Why not check it out!

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Australian Shepherd

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Border Collie

Brussels Griffon

Cocker Spaniel

German Shorthaired Pointer

Jack Russell Terrier

Poodle

Labrador Retriever

Yorkshire Terrier

Sometimes taking care of a dog is like running your own business, it requires all of your time and attention in order to grow and turn out well. Much like gaining business you must be patient with your training and invest a lot of time in order to achieve success. If you are trying to grow your business, one of the essentials is having CT commercial insurance. Growing a successful business is a stressful, time consuming enough task, take the worry of “what-ifs” off your mind by talking with an Encharter Insurance agent about the right business insurance policy for you. They have you covered whether it be general liability, group benefits, commercial property, or professional liability.

Photo Credit: Kirk by Kelv

In Connecticut, the trigger for these hurricane deductibles goes into effect when the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch or warning and lasts for a period of time after the storm has passed. The intensity of the storm will also affect the trigger. As of 2008, it is no longer required for homes near water to have storm shutters. However, storm shutters and impact-resistant glass will get you a discount on your insurance. The trigger is when the National Weather Service/National Hurricane Center declares a Category 1 to 5 hurricane, and will last until 24 hours after the storm.

If you need more information about your Connecticut Homeowner’s Insurance policy and how it relates to your hurricane coverage, agents at Encharter Insurance can answer your questions. Knowing the details of your CT hurricane coverage can be difficult, but your Connecticut insurance agent should make it easy for you to understand!

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