Brooks, Todd & McNeil Insurance

A new BTM blog is live! September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. There may be times worth getting a policy that you hadn't considered. Read on to learn more!

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month - Brooks, Todd & McNeil There’s no better time than the present to buy life insurance. Not only is September Life Insurance Awareness Month, but as Donald Fagen famously said, “We’re not getting any younger.” The older we get, generally the more expensive life insurance becomes. Putting a policy off for “down the...

If you are a contractor, you might need to provide evidence that there are certain endorsements on your policy such as a waiver of subrogation or a hold harmless agreement. Instead of providing a copy of your policy, the agent or carrier issuing the COI can list this on the Certificate.

Does Certificate Wording Change Coverage? - Brooks, Todd & McNeil A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document outlining the coverages of the insured. It can be issued by the insurance carrier or an insurance agency.

The leaves are starting to change, the air is getting cooler. Is your home ready for fall?

14 Tips for Fall Home Prep | Extra Mile | The Hartford Early fall is beautiful time of year. It's also a time to get your home ready for the cold weather. Here are important fall home prep tips.

4 reasons car insurance premiums are on the rise and what you can do to help mitigate the costs.

4 reasons why your car insurance premium is soaring The cost of car insurance has jumped more than 19% in the last year, far outpacing overall inflation. There are several reasons why that's happening.

Remembering today and always those who lost and gave their lives on 9/11/01.

The track of Hurricane Lee remains uncertain, but the Northeast could experience some strong weather if some of the models are correct and Lee’s path makes landfall. How prepared are you for hurricane season?

Meteorologists on Hurricane Lee's projected path and timeline — CBS News Lee rapidly intensified, reaching as high as a Category 5, before weakening back to a Category 2. Forecasters are watching its path closely to see if it will threaten the U.S. coast.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. How informed are you about this essential coverage?

82% Of Americans Overestimate The Cost Of Life Insurance A Forbes Advisor survey reveals that the vast majority of Americans over the age of 25 think the monthly cost of a term life insurance policy is at least three times higher than it is. Life insurance, which provides your beneficiary with a payout after your death, can cost less than $20 a month. Rat

"Pet insurance is one of the most valuable protections owners can secure, both for themselves and for their furry friends. For dog owners to maximize their protections (and minimize their costs), they should shop around to compare lenders and policies. But they should also understand the differences between cost and coverage as it pertains to different dog breeds. Finally, they should avoid waiting to apply until the time their dog is sick, as that could result in absence of coverage when needed most — or a total rejection of their application."

Pet insurance tips dog owners should know Pet insurance for dogs can be both comprehensive and cost-effective (if owners understand these three tips).

Have a safe weekend!

Last week, BTM employees gathered for our annual company picnic! What a fantastic time zip-lining, rock climbing, enjoying good food and friends. Thank you to our amazing team!

Today is National Dog Day! What are some ways you are celebrating your fury family member? Whatever way you’re celebrating, don’t forget to get pet insurance. Ensuring their health and well-being is the best way to celebrate them today and every day!

National Dog Day | Celebrating Dogs Love dogs? So do we! National Dog Day is recognized worldwide on August 26th annually. We celebrate all dogs and encourage adoption.

Tornadoes bring intense winds (often more than 200 miles per hour) that can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris. They can also strike anytime, anywhere, so it pays to take precautions before, during, and after a tornado impacts your area.

How to Stay Safe from Tornadoes Use these helpful tips from Selective to learn how to prepare for tornadoes and stay safe if one impacts your home or business.

Inflation and rising prices are causing delays on maintenance tasks, possibly affecting home insurance coverage.

Some Americans Put Their Home Insurance Policies at Risk By Delaying Repairs, Survey Finds Inflation and rising prices are causing delays on maintenance tasks, possibly affecting home insurance coverage.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revised its prediction for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season from a near-normal level of activity to an above-normal level of activity.

Reminder: Flood insurance is not covered by your homeowners policy. Be sure to talk with an independent insurance agent about your flood insurance options.

NOAA Revises 2023 Hurricane Outlook to ‘Above Normal’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters are predicting 21 named storms, of which up to 11 could become hurricanes.

When you buy a home with a mortgage, you might find you need to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Here’s a guide to what it is, how it works, how much it is and how long you have to pay it for.

What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)? | Bankrate PMI, an added expense for borrowers, is is required if you buy or refinance a home with a less-than-20 percent down payment.

Are auto insurance rates still on the rise and what is contributing to the sweeping increases?

Your Auto Insurance Keeps Going Up. Even Insurers Are Losing. The new inflation report had lots of good news. Then, there was the staggering increase in vehicle-insurance prices.

"While finding ways to save money is always a top priority of mine, financial savings sometimes come with a different price: risk. The thought of having cheap insurance that doesn't adequately cover myself or others in an accident is nerve-wracking. Going with a cheaper company with lower customer service rankings or poor claims reviews could be more of a headache than it's worth."

I used to keep switching car insurance for the best rate, but now I think paying more is worth the money I thought I was being frugal by just getting the cheapest car insurance available, but now that I'm paying more, it's worth the extra cost.

Do you have life insurance through your employer? What happens to that coverage when you leave your job?

What happens to your life insurance when you leave a job? Bankrate breaks down what happens to your life insurance when changing jobs.

"Years ago, fixing a car after a collision may have meant straightening out steel and swapping out damaged parts, but the complexity of modern cars means that the repair process is now more complicated—and more costly."

Why Complex Cars Cost More to Repair | Extra Mile Newer cars have systems to make driving safer and more comfortable, but these high-tech​ cars can cost more to repair after a collision.

"Pet insurance can be valuable for cats and dogs of all ages and breeds. But owners will arguably never secure a better combination of cost and coverage than they will after coming home with their new pet. By applying when their pet is still young and healthy, they'll vastly improve their chances of getting comprehensive coverage for a reasonable price — and more easily complete the mandatory waiting period than they would have if they had held off until an emergency arose."

Why you should get pet insurance after getting a new pet Arguably the best time to get pet insurance is right after your brought your new pet home. Here's why.

Unfortunately prices are going up everywhere, insurance included. So how are your auto insurance rates determined?

Our annual BLN Charity Golf Tournament is coming up soon! If you would like to sponsor please read below for more info. Our golf tournament raises funds to benefit local charities that provide for basic necessities of food, shelter and protection from domestic violence for the people of Northwestern Connecticut.

Thank you for your consideration!

When accessing your options, it is important to know how much coverage you need. Find out more about rental reimbursement coverage.

Importance of Carrying Higher Rental Reimbursement Coverage - Brooks, Todd & McNeil When an unexpected motor vehicle accident leaves you without transportation, having Rental Reimbursement is critical.

Are you a contractor? Talk to an agent today about coverages to protect you and your business. Contractors face many unique challenges and want to be sure they are covered from all potential risks. A BTM agent can review your policies and make sure you have the necessary coverages in place.

Contractor

A waiting period for pet insurance refers to the time between when you enroll your pet in an insurance policy and when the coverage becomes effective. During this waiting period, the insurance company typically doesn't provide coverage for any new illnesses, injuries or health conditions your pet may face.

How Does Pet Insurance Waiting Period Work Read on for our review and learn how does pet insurance waiting period work.

Happy Insurance Nerd Day - yup it's a real day!

Did You Know.....that ancient Greeks and Romans had a form of health and life insurance? Thiasoi or benevolent societies were set up to help the sick and the bereaved.

What fun facts do you know about insurance? Share below!

Insurance Nerd Day – Fun Holiday July 18 is Insurance Nerd Day. It is an unofficial holiday that celebrates those who work in insurance.

Getting married?

The average wedding held in 2022, including expenses for both the ceremony and reception, cost $30,000, according to The Knot, underscoring the importance for couples to take preemptive measures to ensure everything runs smoothly, since there are potential unforeseen issues that may arise on the special day.

Here’s why wedding insurance should be on your marriage to-do list Wedding insurance protects soon-to-be brides and grooms from unforeseen circumstances – like weather and vendor issues – that may arise on the day they tie the knot.

As the recent heavy rains proved, you don't need to live in a flood plain to get hit by floods - and without a flood insurance policy, you'll be left to cover the cost of damages on your own.

What is flood insurance, and why do you need it? | CNN Business Highlands, New York, was underwater and under a state of emergency as devastating floods swept the area this weekend. Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of “life-threatening flooding,” and nearby West Point saw a 1-in-1000-year rainfall on Sunday afternoon, totaling nearly eight inches in six hours. Some ...

Here's to our longstanding relationship with The Hartford!

In an age of nuclear verdicts, umbrella coverage is more important than ever. Find out more about this in our latest blog.

Significance of Umbrella Coverage in an Era of Nuclear Verdicts - Brooks, Todd & McNeil Umbrella coverage is one way that businesses can use an insurance policy to protect themselves against the threats of nuclear verdicts.

Home insurance covers tree damage and tree removal in certain scenarios. Generally, if a tree or limb falls onto your home, onto a detached structure like a garage or shed, or is blocking your driveway, your policy could cover the removal, up to your limit. However, the reason that the tree falls is important.

Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal? Does home insurance pay to remove trees? The answer might surprise you.

Ready for take off! Would you ride in a flying car?

The first flying car, 'Model A,' approved by the FAA and it's 100% electric Alef Aeronautics' 'Model A' has a driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 110 miles. The company plans to start delivering cars by late 2025.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Tomorrow, June 28th, is National Insurance Awareness Day! Read our blog to find out ways you can celebrate and why now is the perfect time to contact a Brooks, Todd & McNeil Independent Insurance Agent!

June 28th is National Insurance Awareness Day - Brooks, Todd & McNeil Did you know that every year on June 28th we celebrate National Insurance Awareness Day? We know that insurance isn’t often a topic that people want to think about unless needed since insurance comes into play when accidents or tragedy strikes. And who wants to focus on the bad? But as an independ...

Meet this week's presenter: Kate Gusy (Brooks, Todd & McNeil Insurance), our independent insurance agent. Kate handles personal insurance lines and is always going the extra mile to get the best insurance for her clients. Thanks for educating us about umbrella policies and how important they are. You're the best Kate! If you're looking for auto or homeowners insurance give Kate a call at 860-783-5900, ext 4807.

We are excited to celebrate a 150+ year relationship (154 years to be exact!) with The Hartford! Both Gordon Todd (past President & CEO) and Stephen Todd (our current President & CEO) have served on the Jonathan Trumbull Agents Advisory Council for 10 and 15 years respectively. We look forward to many more years together serving our clients and our community. Thank you to The Hartford!

"Over the years, dash cams have become popular for commercial and private use to capture checkpoints, driving habits, accidents and more. There may be many benefits to outfitting your car with a dash camera, especially if an incident occurs where specific details are being contested."

How dash cameras impact your car insurance Decide if a dash cam may be worth it for you.