Did you know that many of Smoller Insurance’s team members work partially or entirely from home? Here are a few of our employees’ at-home desk set-ups.

Since 2009, the number of people who work from home in the USA has risen by 159%, due to both the pandemic and technology’s rapid advancement. Remote work looks like it is here to stay. Here’s why:

Studies indicate that working from home has many benefits. According to a survey from Global Workplace Analytics, 97% of office workers in the U.S. have worked from home, at least partially, during the pandemic. Of that 97%, 67% had never worked from home regularly before.

73% said they are very successful working from home and that they perform as well as they do in the office. 70% of managers agree, reporting equal or improved performance from their employees.

However, there is a consensus that collaboration is more efficient in person. Moving forward, workers say that their ideal work week would include an average of 2.5 days remote.

The full results from this fascinating survey can be found here.

At Smoller Insurance Agency, we value the flexibility, freedom, and comfort our hybrid model offers. And don’t worry — we guarantee our service is still just as excellent. 😉

Are your holiday decorations pet-proofed? Everyone deserves a happy and healthy holiday season, even your furry friends. Here’s our holiday gift to you: a few tips to keep the whole family safe this December!

🎄 Broken ornaments can be a choking hazard and cut your pets’ paws and/or mouth. So, if you have a Christmas tree, place fragile ornaments towards the top of the tree and plastic or fabric ones towards the bottom.

🎁 Skip the tinsel if you have a cat. Tinsel can severely damage a cat’s intestinal tract and even prove deadly if ingested.

🎄 Ribbons or strings on presents or decorations can be a choking hazard for curious pets, so tuck those loose ends away.

🎁 Electrical cords can easily become a chew toy for puppies and playful pups. Run the cords through PVC pipe or an extra cardboard roll of wrapping paper, or simply tuck them away to protect your furry friends from an accidental electrical shock.

🎄 While chocolate may be a holiday staple for people, it is toxic for cats and dogs, so desserts should be securely stored away. If you want to include your pets in your holiday snacking traditions, consider special pet-friendly treats!

🎁 Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, hibiscus, and potpourri are very dangerous if consumed by a cat or dog. Place those plants far out of your pets’ reach or use fake plants.

🎄 Many snowglobes contain ethylene glycol (antifreeze) which is highly toxic, and even fatal, to all pets. Keep your snowglobes in a very safe location so they don’t run the risk of breaking.

More tips here!

With the holiday season quickly approaching, you may be considering renting a car to drive out to visit family. Sorting out your travel plans can get complicated, but renting a car does not have to be! Rental car insurance is actually a lot simpler than you may think. In fact, most people won’t even need to purchase additional coverage.

Here’s why:

In many cases, your auto policy’s coverages and deductibles will apply to your rental car, especially if you have higher liability limits than the state required minimum amounts and if you carry both comprehensive and collision insurance. Additionally, if your homeowners or renters insurance covers the loss of possessions, it is likely that your belongings in your rental car will be covered.

If you don’t already have those coverages, you may want to consider the options the rental company may offer. Brick-and-mortar car rental companies will offer a few different coverage options. These may include loss damage waiver, liability insurance, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage.

On the other hand, car sharing services like Zip Car may have insurance costs built into their fees. It is important to thoroughly read the contract to see if there are any other fees you may have to pay in the case of an accident.

Learn more here.

If a rental car is in your future, give us a call! We will review your policies to help you determine if you need any additional coverage.

Did you know wind is the most common cause of homeowners claims? Data from Travelers spanning the last five years found that wind accounted for 26% of claims year-round. Since wind damage is so common (and destructive), wind coverage on your homeowners policy is essential. Pruning your trees and reinforcing your home’s structures and windows is also key to preventing severe wind damage.

Non-weather water was the next most common risk, at 23% of home claims. And in the fall, it is the most frequent claim! Non-weather water damage involves plumbing, sewer, or appliance leaks and failures. The best way to prevent this damage is to inspect and maintain all appliances that use water regularly. This includes air-conditioning systems, water heaters, bathtubs, refrigerators, pipes, and hoses, to name a few. Also, make sure the main shut-off valve for your main water supply is functioning properly.

Hail made up 18% of home claims year-round, followed by weather-related water at 12%, like frozen pipes and leaky roofs. Of course, weather is uncontrollable. Being prepared against weather-related damage means being protected — which means having adequate coverage on your homeowners policy.

More on Travelers’s findings here.

Trust us: a little caution goes a long way!

Give us a call at 617-965-1830 if you have any questions about your homeowners policy.