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Business continuity planning is one of the most critical components of any recovery strategy. Companies today face an unprecedented number of exposures. The frequency and severity of weather-related events seem to be increasing. Reliance on a complex network of technology and supply chains is expanding. Both leave businesses susceptible to a variety of existing and emerging risks. Managing these risks is key to the survival of any organization. Why Business Continuity? MISCONCEPTION: "Our people will know what to do in an emergency." REALITY: Even the best employees cannot be expected to know what to do when disaster strikes. Leaving each to respond in his or her own way only adds to the confusion of an event. Having a well-documented business continuity plan in advance, and training your employees to follow it, gets everyone on the same page — helping ensure an organized, safe and timely recovery. MISCONCEPTION: "We have insurance to cover our losses." REALITY: Insurance alone is NOT a business continuity strategy. Proper coverage is a significant and important part of the plan. But it may not fully cover some of the peripheral damages from an event, like loss of customers, loss of market share, or setbacks in development or release of a new product. Consult with your insurance agent to understand what is and is not covered under your policy. MISCONCEPTION: "We don't have the time to develop a business continuity plan." REALITY: Time spent developing and maintaining a business continuity plan is an investment in your company. Your fixed costs will continue after an event whether or not you are open for business. The faster you can return your operations to normal, the more likely you will recover from the event successfully. With so much at stake, your company can't afford to NOT have a plan. MISCONCEPTION:  "Business continuity and disaster recovery planning are the same." REALITY: Business continuity is a proactive plan to avoid and mitigate risks associated with a disruption of operations. It details steps to be taken before, during and after an event to maintain the financial viability of an organization.  Disaster recovery is a reactive plan for responding after an event. It deals with the safety and restoration of critical personnel, locations, and operational procedures after a disaster, and is a part of business continuity planning. A business continuity plan is one of the best investments your company can make. From Hurricane Sandy and 9/11 to the tornadoes in Oklahoma – companies that proactively consider how to respond to events are the first to get back to business, often at the expense of competitors. A predefined business continuity plan, combined with the proper insurance coverage, maximizes the chance of a successful recovery by eliminating hasty decision-making under stressful conditions. It details how to get businesses back on track after a disruption – in the most thoughtful way possible. Think your business can withstand a disaster? Think again. Twenty-five percent of businesses do not reopen following a major event.1 It does not take a major catastrophe to shut down a business. In fact, seemingly minor disruptions compared to widespread natural disasters can often cause significant damage – power failures, broken water pipes, or loss of computer data. A Travelers study found that 48 percent of small businesses are operating without any type of business continuity plan…Yet 95 percent indicated they felt they were prepared. Is your business continuity plan predominately an insurance policy? Is it predominately an emergency response or evacuation plan? Is it predominately an IT or data recovery plan? Is it something you developed that sits in a binder on a shelf? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then your business continuity plan may be giving you a false sense of security. Natural disasters are more common – and costly – than you may realize. In 2012, nine of the top 10 most expensive world-wide natural disasters happened in the United States. With $77 billion in insured losses worldwide, 2012 was the third costliest year on record. The first was 2011, when $126 billion in insured losses were reported.2 Business continuity planning for a competitive advantage. An alarming 48% of business owners surveyed by Travelers in 2012 said they have no plan in place. That means business continuity planning is more than smart business – it helps your company remain better positioned to recover from the business interruption, property damage, financial impact, and loss of life that a natural disaster or man-made event may cause. The time for business continuity planning is now. Planning for a disruption or catastrophic event should happen when business is going well, not when disaster strikes. Having a pre-defined, well-documented business continuity plan that clearly communicates how your business will respond during an event can help mitigate risk – and is one of the best investments your company can make. 1Source: Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety; http://www.disastersafety.org/ 2Source: Insurance Journal; http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2013/03/27/286235.htm

Airbnb and VRBO properties: Short-term vacation rental insurance program With the unprecedented growth of Airbnb and VRBO, there was a huge need for a GA to develop a go-to program for this risk. Our program is the most comprehensive insurance coverage a vacation rental owner can purchase. Because we only offer one program, it allows us to solely focus on this niche short-term vacation rental industry, aka, the Airbnb and VRBO industry. Proper Insurance is an experienced program administrator that understands the needs of agents and brokers. Proper works closely with insurance agents and brokers throughout the United States, all 50 states. We know insurance brokers work hard to get their clients into the right coverage.

Looking for a Workers Compensation specialist with access to many A rated markets? Look no further than Atlas General Insurance Services. It doesn’t matter if you have a client that has a hard to place account or if you have a quote that needs a different look so you know that you and your client are getting the quality for the price; we are your solution for Workers Compensation.

Looking for a Workers Compensation specialist with access to many A rated markets? Look no further than Atlas General Insurance Services. It doesn’t matter if you have a client that has a hard to place account or if you have a quote that needs a different look so you know that you and your client are getting the quality for the price; we are your solution for Workers Compensation.

Our Business Auto Program, provided by Plaza Insurance Company, provides comprehensive coverage to a wide range of eligible accounts. This program is designed for automobile fleets that involve the use of commercial vehicles as well as private passenger cars. These commercial vehicles should be used with the primary goal to sell and distribute products, perform contracting operations and provide services to clients.

Our Business Auto Program, provided by Falls Lake Insurance Company, provides comprehensive coverage to a wide range of eligible accounts. This program is designed for automobile fleets that involve the use of commercial vehicles as well as private passenger cars. These commercial vehicles should be used with the primary goal to sell and distribute products, perform contracting operations and provide services to clients.

When you smoke, your risk of developing lung, throat and mouth cancers as well as heart disease, stroke and diabetes increases. You also may experience shortness of breath and increased life insurance premiums. Up to 480,000 people die each year from the effects of smoking, but you can quit. Try four holistic methods as you seek to improve your health today. 1. ExerciseSweat out the buildup of nicotine in your body, relieve depression and reduce boredom when you use exercise to stop smoking. Whether you run, swim, walk or try a different sport, the physical activity increases your odds of quitting.2. LimesIn addition to flavoring entrees and beverages, limes boost your immunity and decrease your body's acidity. Use them to quit smoking when you cut the quarters of a lime into quarters. Chew on one small piece, skin and all, whenever you feel a cigarette craving. 3. Self-MassageProfessional massages relax your body and your mind, which helps you handle nicotine cravings. However, you don't have time for a full-body massage every time you want to smoke. Instead, learn self-massage techniques that are easy to perform multiple times a day. *Use your right thumb and slight pressure to draw a circle in the palm of your left hand. Switch hands frequently.* Massage each finger gently from bottom to top.*Rub your ear lobes in circular motions.4. MeditateReduce tension, stress and anxiety caused by nicotine withdrawal when you meditate. Start by lying down on your back and breathing deeply from your abdomen. Envision yourself cigarette-free and healthy as you exhale and inhale. Spend 15 minutes meditating, and your entire body will be calm and relaxed.Smoking increases your risk of developing a number of deadly illnesses and diseases. It also affects your ability to afford beneficial life insurance coverage that gives your family peace of mind and financial security. Use four holistic methods to quit smoking today, and commit to healthy living.