As humans age, they reset the bar on what it is to be young. We hear phrases like: “40 is the new 30,” or “60 is the new 50.” These phrases suggest that despite advancing age, post-40 humans remain as alive and vibrant...

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Home gyms and workout equipment have drastically increased in popularity over the past several years. This was especially pronounced during the COVID-19 lockdowns, which saw many commercial gyms close or go virtual. In...

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Wildlife is a pleasure to experience - but not inside your home. Animals can move into your attic, walls, chimney or other nooks and crannies. Dealing with their waste, unpleasant smells and damage is frustrating (and...

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Use this checklist to get ahead of cold weather challenges and prepare your home for the seasonal changes ahead. Plant bulbs for springtime flowers.Cover and/or store outdoor furniture.Winterize summer lawn equipment...

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You’ve spent weeks preparing for Halloween. Pumpkins are carved. Bowls of candy sit near the front door. Costumes are donned. But, is your homeowners insurance ready? Do you know the answers to the what-ifs? What if a...

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You know the value of your homeowners insurance policy. It’s comforting to know that if your home is damaged, you can submit a claim and you will receive money to restore it to its original condition. Standard...

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Home electrical fires claim lives every year. Most are caused by incorrectly installed wiring or overloaded circuits or extension cords. In other words, most electrical fires are preventable. Fire deaths are highest in...

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Are you offering your home on a home-sharing service? Most home-sharing and host services make renting out your house easy. They even offer $1 million in insurance coverage as part of their service. Like most people,...

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Losing power for any length of time is inconvenient, but it can also be dangerous. You need a plan to get through the outage. Bottled water, nonperishable foods that don’t require cooking, extra propane or charcoal are...

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Homeowners Beware: Infestation and Animal Damage Exclusions - Wildlife is a pleasure to experience - but not inside your home. Animals can move into your attic, walls, chimney or other nooks and crannies. Dealing with...

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Having Water in an Emergency - In the event of an emergency, having an ample supply of clean water is the top priority, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A normally active person needs to drink at...

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Hazards in Your Home Storage Areas - Many American families have an accumulation of stuff in their homes: gasoline cans, spare oil, half-containers of antifreeze, fertilizer, yard pesticides and other materials all...

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It’s important that you take some safety measures to protect your house while you are away on vacation. Before you leave: Phone a friend. Ask friends to stop by your property periodically while you’re away. They should...

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Insurance may seem boring to some- but we need it to protect our homes, cars, boats, property-and even our life and health. When we purchase insurance, we assume we’re protecting our livelihood from typical encounters-a...

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Did you know that your clothes dryer potentially could be a fire hazard to your home? It’s important to make sure that you aren’t accidentally putting your livelihood-including you, your family and your pets-at risk....

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Marriage is a union of two individuals. It serves as an expression of love and devotion. However, marriage also is a legal contract that binds the individuals together under the law. Whether talking about love or the...

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There are certain things that you may purchase once and never think about again-pet rocks, parachute pants, Troll dolls and bedazzled anything. However, your insurance policies shouldn’t be something that you buy and...

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Any time is great for grilling-but is your food safe to eat? Be sure to follow these tips this summer to ensure that you, your family and friends stay safe. Shopping for food When you buy groceries at the store, wait...

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If you plan to rent out your home, you should check that you have certainty of coverage to protect yourself and the property. Homeowners policies are not intended to cover business or commercial use of your home, which...

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Spring is a great reminder to review your insurance policies and consider adjusting them to your current needs. When you adjust your policies, you can trim costs and ensure that you are covered in the event of a claim....

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It’s important to invest in a home security system to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your valuables from an intruder. But, myriad homeowners do not own a home security system, and for various reasons. Here...

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Isn’t it funny how, as our homes get bigger and our families get smaller, our need for extra storage space grows? According to 2019 U.S. census data, the average number of people in an American household fell steadily...

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When the weather gets warmer, laying mulch in your yard is often a priority. But as you get ready to conquer this task, a neighbour tells you she spread mulch on her property and struggled with a terrible carpenter ant...

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Electrical fires are one of the most common causes of structure fires. It’s important to be prepared. Follow these tips to prevent an electrical fire in your home, and to diffuse the fire if one breaks out: Make sure...

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We all hope that the next storm to hit the Nutmeg State will not damage our property, but its best to prepare by reviewing your homeowners insurance policy before you need to file a claim. Coverages you may assume are...

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If you’re thinking about hosting a holiday party this year, be sure to add safety and common sense to your list. According to the Insurance Information Institute, social host liability-the legal term for the criminal...

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As the holidays approach, information about getting insurance for holiday gifts is available from your professional, independent insurance agent at The Russell Agency. Homeowners and renters insurance can be designed to...

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Fire is a common disaster that can befall any homeowner or apartment dweller. Those who live in a high-rise building, whether in an apartment, co-op or condominium, have unique concerns requiring special precautions....

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Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have fallen prey to scammers who are exploiting public fears by claiming to have legitimate information about the coronavirus. Here are a few ways scammers are taking...

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The day will come when your kids will need to buy their own car insurance, renters or homeowners insurance, health insurance, or even business insurance. You can help prepare them by teaching them the importance of...

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When times get hard, we won’t let you down. We realize that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed your day-to-day life drastically. We want you to know that not everything has changed. We are and always will be right here...

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According to various studies on American divorce rates, more than 40 percent of marriages end in divorce or annulments. If you and your spouse are going through a similar circumstance, we would like to share with you...

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Halloween may be the spookiest night of the year, but it’s important that you follow some important tips to protect yourself from any homeowners insurance gaps that might leave you screaming. 1. The most common...

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When the weather gets hot, sunny and humid, it’s always refreshing to take a dip in the pool. Swimming can be a fun, relaxing way to spend your summer days with family and friends-but it’s important that everyone is...

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During hurricane season, coastal residents should make it a priority to be prepared for anything. Hurricanes are serious storms that can devastate acres of land- taking wildlife and homes along with it. Many who live...

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2020 is predicted to be an active hurricane season. Don’t be caught unprepared! These steps will help you minimize hurricane damage and get back on your feet if you are struck. Just as hurricanes come in many shapes and...

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June 1 – Nov. 30 is hurricane season. And although the Northeast may not be quite the hurricane mecca that the Gulf coast is, hurricanes and windstorms are still a real threat to homeowners along the eastern seaboard. A...

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Hurricanes are graded by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale as follows:Tropical storm-winds 39-73 mphCategory 1 hurricane-winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt) No real damage to buildings. Damage to un-anchored mobile homes. Some...

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The Connecticut Legislature passed Public Act 12-62, which was signed into law in June 2012. According to the act, insurers are allowed to impose a hurricane deductible in the policy in lieu of an overall policy...

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Generally, how does my homeowners policy respond to storm damage to my property? Your homeowners policy covers most losses that may occur to your dwelling and personal property. Commonly, losses resulting from theft,...

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What is a household inventory and why do I need one? A household inventory could prove invaluable if you lost some or all of your household belongings in a fire, burglary or natural disaster. A household inventory is a...

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Who does the order apply to? The executive order applies to all insurers licensed or regulated by the Connecticut Insurance Department. What must insurers do? All insurers must give policyholders unable to pay their...

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Your property insurance covers many events that can cause damage to your property. Unfortunately, not every event is covered. Earthquakes, floods and power blackouts are examples of events typically excluded without...

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I always lock my doors when I leave my house. What else can I do to prevent a break-in? Make your home appear occupied. Timers are inexpensive and can be effective at fooling thieves. Use them to turn lamps and radios...

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Spring may be the time of year for cleaning out closets and drawers and organizing attics and cellars, but it also is a great time to clean up your insurance coverages. It is important to look at your insurance coverage...

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What is a household inventory and why do I need one? A household inventory could prove invaluable if you lost some or all of your household belongings in a fire, burglary or natural disaster. A household inventory is a...

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According to H. Jackson Brown Jr., “the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” At our agency, we strive to do our best to help you prepare for your tomorrow-especially if your tomorrow includes a...

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June 1 – Nov. 30 is hurricane season. And although the Northeast may not be quite the hurricane mecca that the Gulf coast is, hurricanes and windstorms are still a real threat to homeowners along the eastern seaboard. A...

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In order to write a policy with the appropriate Coverage A limit, you must know what the association and unit owners are responsible for insuring. Most Connecticut associations are following the statutory default, which...

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An atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University, Dr. Phil Klotzbach, has issued an early forecast of 16 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes for the year 2020. He predicts an above average...

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If your car was hit and damaged by a bicyclist to which policy-household auto or homeowners-should you look to recover for the damage caused by the bicyclist’s negligence? The bicyclist’s homeowners policy. The personal...

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April 2, 2020 Executive order requires 60-day grace period for policyholders unable to pay premiums due to COVID-19 pandemic - As part of Executive Order No. 7S, no insurer may lapse, terminate or otherwise cancel a...

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Gov. Ned Lamont announced that there will be a 60-day grace period for property/casualty, and health insurance policyholders unable to pay their premiums due to the impact of COVID-19. During the grace period, insurance...

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When it comes to protecting the things that matter most to you-your home, your jewelry, your life-it’s important that you consider what types of insurance will cover you best, and you need to know ahead of time the...

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Renting out your house to others can be lucrative. Millions of people take advantage of various house/apartment sharing services (e.g., Airbnb, HomeAway, FlipKey or MIMDU) each year. These companies match hosts who...

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Jewelry is a popular gift for engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. It’s one of the most meaningful gifts-and the most valuable-that someone might receive. It’s imperative that these...

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A home is a very valuable asset and proper maintenance is a key factor in the retention and growth of a home's value. This factor is one reason why it is important for homeowners to hire highly qualified contractors...

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Generally, how does my homeowners policy respond to storm damage to my property? Your homeowners policy covers most losses that may occur to your dwelling and personal property. Commonly, losses resulting from theft,...

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Fire extinguishers are classified by the type of fire that they will extinguish. There are five different fire extinguishers classifications. If the proper fire extinguisher class is not used there is a risk that the...

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You are a target for identity theft. And once your identity has been stolen, it's hard to get it back in order. From prevention to restoration, our Identity Theft Protection Program has you covered. Provided free of...

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When protecting your credit there are many things to consider. You could become a victim of theft in many places including the grocery store, mall, or a parking lot. New chips have come out claiming to better protect...

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Getting organized and ready for spring feels great. We’ve got some suggestions for you to think about when you’re spring cleaning: 1.) Tune up your auto policy.Everyone makes sure auto insurance "fits" when they first...

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Staying informed and up-to-date on your insurance company’s insurance policies isn’t just smart, it also can save you money and give you peace of mind. If you haven’t reviewed your coverage in a while, you might be...

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When it comes to staying safe-in your car, when you are traveling, in your home-it’s important to consider one of the most important tools that will make you feel safe and secure: insurance. Sure, you can stay safe by...

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The Federal Trade Commission processed 1.4 million fraud reports-totaling $1.48 billion in losses-in 2018. Identity theft occurs when an unauthorized person uses your personal identifying information, such as your name,...

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During a fire, it’s important to follow your emergency action plan and ensure that you and your family are safe. After a fire, it’s equally important that you take care of your home-but maybe not in the way you might...

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Effective Oct. 1, 2019, legalized electric scooters, electric bicycles and electric tricycles became legal in Connecticut. The law allows these vehicles-as long as they do not exceed 20 miles per hour and are not...

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Wouldn’t it be nice to buy a homeowners policy that would guarantee replacement of your home in the event of a loss without any conditions? That concept may be appealing, but it’s not realistic. In order to charge the...

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My house is filled with expensive gifts waiting to be opened. If my home is burglarized, damaged or destroyed, are all these gifts covered under my homeowners policy? It depends on the particular gift. Many homeowners...

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