<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0">
  <channel>
    <title>W. Ray Huff and Associates Blog</title>
    <link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog/</link>
    <description>View the W. Ray Huff and Associates website blog.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <lastBuildDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:54:00 -0600</lastBuildDate>
    
	<item><title>How To Protect Yourself When Hiring a Contractor</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=e22b1c53-6a9e-4917-bf0e-f2359389d06c</link><description><![CDATA[How To Protect Yourself 
When Hiring a Contractor
By Jerry Nicklow, API, AIS

I know with all of the snow already this winter and with the impending snow in the forecast, that it is hard to think of spring being just around the corner.  And with the spring season often times comes home remodeling and landscaping projects.
            So, if you’ve got some remodeling, landscaping or other work to do, and plan on hiring a contractor to handle it for you, the beautiful job they do isn’t going...]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:29:41 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=e22b1c53-6a9e-4917-bf0e-f2359389d06c</guid></item><item><title>Does a Down Real Estate Market = Cheaper Insruance?</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=b4fc93ee-d953-498c-b2e3-52072febf34d</link><description><![CDATA[Does a Down Real Estate Market = Cheaper Insurance?
By Jerry Nicklow, API, AIS
Operations Manager

    Tumbling house prices may have you wondering whether homeowners' insurance premiums will fall too.
    Fair question. But the answer is not as straightforward as you might think. Although median house prices in the US are down around 7% year on year, don’t expect to be able to cut your premiums by the same amount.
    For a start, your homeowners' policy covers a lot more than your struct...]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:27:58 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=b4fc93ee-d953-498c-b2e3-52072febf34d</guid></item><item><title>Don’t Get Burned On A Disaster Claim! </title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=977d85b7-0494-40ed-9970-78b758a57c09</link><description><![CDATA[Don’t Get Burned On A Disaster Claim! 

&nbsp;

Nobody wants to think about their house burning down or burglars stealing some/most/all of their valuables. But that’s one of the reasons you have homeowners insurance – to give you peace of mind that if something horrible does happen, you will be compensated for your losses. Filing a claim, however, isn’t necessarily an easy process, particularly if you’re not prepared. Prepared? How do you “prepare” for a fire or a burglary? There are several...]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:11:34 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=977d85b7-0494-40ed-9970-78b758a57c09</guid></item><item><title>MAKE CERTAIN YOUR JEWELRY IS PROPERLY INSURED</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=69d5eab5-35b5-463c-a460-10ebd21f4a92</link><description><![CDATA[MAKE CERTAIN YOUR JEWELRY IS PROPERLY INSURED
Many people overlook the need to properly insure their expensive jewelry, believing that it is automatically covered by their homeowners’ policy. While homeowner’s policies do cover jewelry, this insurance usually is subject to a much lower limit than the overall contents coverage. This reduced limit is called a "sublimit," and a typical sublimit is $1,500 for loss by theft of jewelry, watches, and precious and semiprecious stones.
If your jewelry ...]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:22:06 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=69d5eab5-35b5-463c-a460-10ebd21f4a92</guid></item><item><title>DON’T TAKE YOUR PASSWORDS TO THE GRAVE!  SHARE SAF</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=0f31b713-4fc6-4147-89c3-05f00a1e7727</link><description><![CDATA[DON’T TAKE YOUR PASSWORDS TO THE GRAVE!  SHARE SAFELY
by Jerry Nicklow, API, AIS
Operations Manager
www.huffinsurance.com



It has become so very easy to do online-banking, electronic bill payments, shopping, and communication over the Internet.  Just think about all the websites that require a User ID and a Password.

&nbsp;
Have you thought about what would happen if you were seriously injured and could not communicate or if you died.  Does anyone else have access to all your accoun...]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:46:11 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=0f31b713-4fc6-4147-89c3-05f00a1e7727</guid></item><item><title>Take Steps to Protect Your Family from Carbon Mono</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=c8f3e12e-3c3b-4c34-8735-02564aefe5ad</link><description><![CDATA[Take Steps to Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
By Jerry Nicklow, API, AIC
Operations Manager
www.huffinsurance.com

&nbsp;
&nbsp;
    No matter what time of year, carbon monoxide is a deadly gas. Unfortunately in the winter  months, carbon monoxide gas is even more deadly than during the rest of the year. Often furnaces are run by gas, which can cause carbon monoxide build-up if used run properly.
    There are several steps you can take to protect your family against c...]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:22:12 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=c8f3e12e-3c3b-4c34-8735-02564aefe5ad</guid></item><item><title>Include Life Insurance in Your ‘Must Have’ Budget</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=5a8ac697-4c72-4cee-98f3-1b19b3a2b5b8</link><description><![CDATA[Include Life Insurance in Your ‘Must Have’ Budget

&nbsp;

As you re-examine your monthly expenses to cover the escalating costs of food and fuel, it’s important to consider life insurance in your plans. While it may be tempting to think a life insurance policy is out of reach in today’s economy, it’s actually more affordable than you think -- especially if you plan for it in the same way you budget for everything else.


The reason for doing so is simple. Most of us dream of being financ...]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:40:20 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=5a8ac697-4c72-4cee-98f3-1b19b3a2b5b8</guid></item><item><title>Holiday Season Tips from Huff Insurance</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=baa6f39b-a337-4780-89f6-ef595246e300</link><description><![CDATA[Holiday Season tips from Huff Insurance:
By Jerry Nicklow, Operations Manager

&nbsp;
    The holiday season has arrived and many of us will officially start our holiday shopping on the infamous “BLACK FRIDAY.”   While shopping during this holiday season, there are some safety and security issues to keep in mind.  One of the most obvious is to keep your valuables secure by locking your vehicle and keeping items out of plain sight within your vehicle.  This can be accomplished by storing the ...]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:13:58 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=baa6f39b-a337-4780-89f6-ef595246e300</guid></item><item><title>Your Identity Belongs to You. Protect It!</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=0fc14843-46bd-4645-bb7e-ccd9c45a1ea1</link><description><![CDATA[Your Identity Belongs to You. 
Protect It!

www.huffinsurance.com
&nbsp;


A 2009 survey shows that identity theft is on the rise – and it’s more likely to start with a stolen wallet than an online phishing expedition.

&nbsp;
Researchers at Javelin Strategy &amp; Research reported that the number of identity theft cases increased 22 percent to 9.9 million in 2008.

    
    Crimes of opportunity, such as stolen wallets, represented 43 percent of cases, compared to 33 percent in 200...]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:41:07 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=0fc14843-46bd-4645-bb7e-ccd9c45a1ea1</guid></item><item><title>Accidents Happen.  So Do Lawsuits!</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=b161af0e-13a8-4763-aa04-af7e1c260f1c</link><description><![CDATA[Accidents Happen. So Do Lawsuits!


What if you or a household family member caused a serious accident, a guest fell down your front steps, or your tee shot put another golfer in the hospital?  You could be liable for medical expenses or face a lawsuit that could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Maybe millions!  If you’re not protected by umbrella insurance, the financial consequences of such a disaster would be crippling.
          An umbrella policy will pick up where your homeo...]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:07:07 -0600</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=b161af0e-13a8-4763-aa04-af7e1c260f1c</guid></item><item><title>Is Your Jewelry Properly Insured?</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=e6ac4c73-8431-4c05-8a7c-f670f1119562</link><description><![CDATA[Did you know that your expensive jewelry may not be properly insured?

Many homeowners assume that their jewelry is adequately covered under their homeowner's policy but you may be surprised to learn the facts...

While homeowner's policies do cover jewelry, this insurance usually is subject to a much lower limit than the overall contents coverage. This reduced limit is called a "sublimit". A typical sublimit is $1,500 for loss by theft of jewelry, watches and precious and semiprecious stone...]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:34:13 -0500</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=e6ac4c73-8431-4c05-8a7c-f670f1119562</guid></item><item><title>Are Independent Contractor's Truly Independent?</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=dfc0edbd-2449-420b-97d8-808155d71ad8</link><description><![CDATA[ If you use independent contractors you need to beware of making sure that they are truly "independent".
Effective October 1, 2009 Senate Bill 909 will be in acted
According to IWIF, Summer 2009 Producer line
"SB 909 amends the Labor and Employment Article to specifically prohibit employers from falsely classifying employees as independent contractors. Substantial civil penalties against the employer are possible with fines up to $20,000. This bill also creates a presumption in the workers co...]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:54:19 -0500</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=dfc0edbd-2449-420b-97d8-808155d71ad8</guid></item><item><title>Do you Know Your "STUFF"</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=f49ee887-97f0-43cb-b2aa-05a48feac26e</link><description><![CDATA[Do you know your “stuff?”
By Nancy A. Nicklow, CPCU, AAI
President, W. Ray Huff &amp; Associates, Inc.
Have you lived in your house/condo/apartment for a long time?  Have you recently had a change in your household?  Have you added some new items (flat screen TV?  Artwork?)  When was the last time you actually looked around your space and thought about what it would cost to replace your possessions?  Sure, you have insurance… but is it enough?
While it's important to protect the contents of ...]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:10:17 -0500</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=f49ee887-97f0-43cb-b2aa-05a48feac26e</guid></item><item><title>8 Ways You Can Save $ on Your Homeowners Insurance</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=837341fa-bf3e-4225-b688-eaed232b5ab6</link><description><![CDATA[8 Ways You Can Save $ on Your Homeowners Insurance 
By Nancy A. Nicklow, CPCU, AAI
President, W. Ray Huff &amp; Associates, Inc. 
&nbsp;
Your home is probably your most valuable asset. It is also a huge risk for you financially. What if something happens to it? A fire? A flood? Vandalism? What if someone visiting you slips, falls and suffers a serious injury? And sues you? An accident like that could put a dent -- or worse -- in your financial security. For most people, insurance is a myster...]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:21:41 -0500</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=837341fa-bf3e-4225-b688-eaed232b5ab6</guid></item><item><title>New Blog for Huff Insurance</title><link>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=ae83baf6-9fd2-4ce5-9ef8-4864fcc14be4</link><description><![CDATA[Welcome to our new blog at Huff Insurance.  Our blog will be designed to keep you informed of the happenings in the insurance industry and to provide you with new information availiable to the insurance community.  It will include information on loss prevention, new insurance products (auto, homeowners, business, etc), update you on insurance laws that could affect you, and keep you up to date on events and happenings in the news that affect the insurance industry.  Stay tuned for our first offi...]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:25:52 -0500</pubDate><guid>http://www.huffinsurance.com/blog.aspx?entry=ae83baf6-9fd2-4ce5-9ef8-4864fcc14be4</guid></item>
  </channel>
</rss>
